It’s a Crime to Be Unhealthy!
By Susan Holloway, M.S. Home Economics Child Development-Family Relations Retired Teacher of JMCSS and Madison County Extension
This may be the last month to remind you of my introduction in my January 2023 article. “We all know this year might bring many challenges that affect our personal health or our financial health. I am confirmed to choose an unusual new year’s resolution this year. I resolve to stop being WASTEFUL in every part of my life.
Abundance and then just habit can cause us to be wasteful and we do not even realize it. The less resources wasted the more money, the less resources wasted the more time, the less resources wasted the more prepared I can be for potential times of need, the less resources wasted the more I am proud of the resources I DO have. I plan to touch on several areas where I notice we are wasteful, these being (1) food (2) time (3) paper products and (4) fuels. I will address each of the four areas in my monthly articles January through April 2023.”
My April article is #4 FUELS. What a time to discuss how to reduce usages of gasoline, diesel, electricity, propane, biofuels, coal, wood, solar, etc. All their costs seemed to increase just recently, and the cost is something we cannot control. It is the usage of the fuels that we can control. Question is, “Why do we even bother to conserve energy anyway?” Saving fuels used for energy will always save us money, increase the value of property whether it be home or vehicle, and protect the environment. We are always seeking ways to reduce the use of fossil fuels (petroleum oil, coal, natural gas) and many times purchasing solar panels to store in solar batteries or even heat pumps.
~ Heating and cooling costs are half our expenses for utilities and can be reduced greatly by using a smart thermostat for conservative settings when we are not at home. Thick insulation and upgraded heaters and AC units will reduce the use of energy too.
~ Choose clothing for any season which requires comfort to be enjoyed with less use of energy.
~ Never leave any space where outside air can come in or inside air can go out. Seal the air spaces for big savings too.
~ The U. S. Department of Energy states unplugging unused devices everywhere in the home will save 5-10% of the electricity part of our bill. Every little bit adds up to big savings. This may be over $100 per year.
~ All LED bulbs of the lowest possible wattages will be a savings too, but natural light is even better.
~ Make sure the air filters in all systems are clean – the recommendations are to change them every 2- 3 month.
~ Hot water heaters, whether electric or gas, are users of large amounts of energy. Washing clothes in cold water is helpful.
~ The clothes dryer is less costly when using Air Dry or Auto Dry Sensor settings. It can use as much as refrigerator, dishwasher, and clothes washer all combined. Clean that lint filter after each load. Never add wet clothes to already dry ones.
~ Whenever possible use a toaster oven or air fryer appliance rather than a large oven. This is usually faster too.
~ Set your refrigerator between 35 and 42 with freezer at 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. If a dollar bill is shut in the door and easy to pull out, you may be leaking cool so see about replacing your gasket.
~ Run the dishwasher only when it is full and don’t wash dishes too much before filling the dishwasher. They probably will come out clean and sterilized.
~ Today’s high-definition televisions are using 60% less energy today but certain features can be disabled to still save energy:
Quick Start for internet ready ABC or Automatic Brightness Control Streaming movies through game consoles like PlayStation or Xbox uses 30 times more electricity.
Consider buying an internet ready TV or a small add-on device like Apple TV, Google Chromecast, or a Roku box which uses less power.
~ If you purchase new energy efficient appliances and electronics, dispose of the old ones properly. Pass them down to younger ones, check with retailers such as Best Buy and see if their recycling programs suit you.
It appears there is so much information about conserving energy for the home, I will be discussing conserving energy for our cars and trucks in my May article. Thanks to EnergySage and UT Extension for the organization of this material. Remember to Waste Not, Want Not during 2023. Changes in habits are the key behaviors to being conservative.