December 5, 2022

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Sustainable Energy Living: Saving The Planet One Switch At A Time

It is not easy for citizens to live environmentally friendly and socially responsible because unsustainability is the norm in urban areas. Inefficient transport systems, massive amounts of waste, irresponsible use of energy and poor land and building management are only a few obstacles that put a heavy burden on the environment and societies. There are many ways to live more environmentally friendly. This article is devoted to your energy habits and consumption. Saving the planet one switch at a time is not complicated, but a must. Let me guide you through the possibilities to become an eco-conscious citizen.
Written by Veronika Tietz

Sustainable living refers to adapting our lifestyles to live within the Earth’s means. You might have come across the term ‘net zero living’  or  ‘zero energy balance’. Unfortunately, those terms do not serve well as a compass on HOW to live sustainably. Therefore, I created a series of sustainable URBAN living strategies to give the right advice on making your lifestyle more sustainable. In this article, we focus on energy in the form of electricity and heat: sustainable energy living. 

In general, sustainable energy living follows the principle of less is more. When you implement those strategies, you will not only be more environmentally friendly, but you will also decrease the pressure on your wallet and save money.

The idea that we are more sustainable by replacing everything unsustainable is counterproductive. Sustainable energy living supports the positive impact of reducing the pressure on the environment by using less energy. We need to use a lot less. 

Besides giving you simple instructions to live more energy efficiently, I also collected the benefits you gain from implementing those sustainable energy living strategies. As a matter of fact, sustainable living does not only benefit the environment, it benefits you too.

 

To plant a seed for sustainable energy living

Before we continue with the juicy information, there are some general thoughts I want to share with you regarding your mindset or as I like to call it: nurturing ground. Our mindset is a powerful tool to achieve whatever we want. Therefore, I want to bring you into the right swing before you dive into the sustainable energy living strategies:

  • Consume mindfully.
  • Break it down into small steps. 
  • Do not get distracted by people who are not on the same journey (yet).
  • We spent most of our time at home.
  • When there is a suggestion to switch products, do so when the old one is not working or burnt out; use what you have.
  • Create systems (like habits) that support your sustainable lifestyle.

Strategies for sustainable energy living

Switch your light bulbs. Energy-saving light bulbs like LED (light-emitting diodes) are up to 90% more efficient than incandescent light bulbs or halogen light bulbs. At first glance, LED light bulbs are more expensive, but they are cheaper in the long run. LEDs use about 75% less energy than the two counterpart bulbs and last 5 to 10 times longer!

According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, 10 halogen light bulbs replaced with LEDs can save you 650 $AUD/420 €/440 US$ over a period of 10 years. 

Take preference in sunlight. Use natural light when possible. It will help you reduce your electricity bills immensely. Living in the city, you might not be in favour of the sun’s trajectory, depending on the location of your apartment and the orientation of your windows. 

Luckily, there are ways to maximise the light you have. Here are some suggestions to make your dark apartment look lighter:

  • Place mirrors strategically to make your room look bigger and lighter.
  • Shiny objects like bowls or flower pots can reflect the little light you have.
  • Choose bright furniture and decoration. Avoid clunky and heavy-looking furniture. The same goes for the choice of fabrics: lighter colours.
  • Paint your walls white.
  • Place lighting according to your needs, and brighten up the places which your use often (Do not forget to instal the LEDs).

 

Make switching electronics off your new flirt strategy. 10-15% of consumed electricity comes from appliances in standby mode. Leaving your appliances on standby can add 150 AUD/96 €/101 US$ to your electricity bill – per year. This suggestion needs a Sherlock Holmes hat. Go through all your rooms and identify every electronic that unnecessarily consumes energy when not in use. 

Save Energy

Found in a hostel in Thailand

 

Here is a list of the highest energy-sucking appliances (yeah it sucks):

  • Wireless router
  • Multi-function printer
  • Digital video recorder
  • Soundbar
  • Smart speaker
  • Washing machine
  • Clothes dryer
  • Microwave
  • Powered wireless speaker
  • Laptop
  • Television
  • Games console
  • Air conditioner

 

What to do? When not in use, flick the switch. Get into the habit of turning off your appliances after use. Make power appliances like multiplugs more accessible and do not hide them behind furniture, make them visible to you. There are also smart home devices on the market which include timers to switch your energy-using devices off at certain times of the day. Sensors can also help to reduce your energy consumption. 

Overall, I suggest you make it a sustainable habit to manually switch off all your devices. It increases your awareness to live energy efficiently, plus it makes you feel better when you remember to live more sustainably

Consume heat mindfully. In the colder months, heating can become essential to keep your apartment warm. Find out what the energy (star) rating of your heating system is. Additionally, learning how to use a thermostat efficiently will save you some cash. Between 18°C to 20°C is the most efficient temperature. Every extra 1°C adds 10% to your heating bill.

Tips to reduce your heating bill:

  • Do not heat at night, instead use thick curtains or blinds to reduce heat loss by 20%
  • Heat consciously means to heat less and only when you really need it. Avoid heating rooms that are not in use.
  • When it is too cold in bed, consider using a hot-water bottle.
  • On wooden floors or tiles, place carpets for warmer feet.
  • Do not leave stuff on your radiator or do not put furniture on top or in front to make it easier for the warm air to circulate in the room and heat it consistently.

 

Sustainability Victoria explains the pros and cons of different heating options. If you rent, have a talk with your landlord and find a solution to install a more sustainable heating option in the apartment. Moreover, insulation might be another option to make your apartment more efficient to keep it cool or warm.

For the hard-hearted among us who want to save a big chunk of money: ditch your heater and put on more clothes. Extra layers of clothing or blankets make coldness bearable. It might be a good time to learn how to knit thick socks and beanies.

Put your signature on the contract of a renewable energy provider. Switching electricity providers (if possible) is one of the most effective solutions for sustainable energy living. Not only are you consuming electricity made by nature, but you also support an industry that aims at providing clean energy to households. Ditch coal and gas and say hello to sun, wind or hydro.

Every country has different providers, so I suggest you find your opportunities to show highly polluting electricity providers the stinky finger and embrace mother nature’s gifts. The persistent rumour persists that renewable energy is more expensive, but luckily as with most technologies, the cost sinks due to technological advancements and investments. For example, solar is already cheaper than dirty energy.

Price of renewable vs fossil fuel energy

Development of prices from different energy sources (from Our World In Data)

 

Sustainable energy living: Switch your lights off and save the planet

Remember, unsustainability is the current norm. That needs to change and every single one of us has the opportunity to become the change. After all, sustainable energy living is simply about readjusting our understanding of how we want to live. Do you want to live on the cost of the planet and consume as if there is no tomorrow?

The answer is no. Of course, we can do better. We can make a difference and find solutions. Even in the most hostile areas for sustainability: Cities.

Sustainability is about continuous improvement. Those sustainable energy living strategies are no exemption. Equally, I want to keep those strategies up to date.

If you have any sustainable energy strategies or suggestions to share, I am looking forward to hearing or reading from you. Simply reply via comments or send me a direct message via this contact form.

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Eco-Friendly Christmas Gifts For 2022: Splendid For Your Loved Ones And The Planet

During the Christmas season, our waste footprint can double. Christmas trees, food, toys, electronics, wrapping paper and ribbon bands contribute to joy under the Christmas tree, but they take an immense environmental toll. It comes as no surprise that increasingly eco-conscious people prefer to bypass the Christmas waste madness for the environment. That is why the question arises, are there any eco-friendly Christmas presents? Yes, and they do not cost the world. Although a more sustainable Christmas focuses on spending time with our loved ones, we can use the Christmas season to rethink how eco-friendly gifts can bring joy – to the people we love and the planet.

What Does It Take To Become A Sustainable Leader

A lot of pressure weighs on the shoulders of sustainable leaders. In a complex and confusing world where policies, public pressure and business prosperity are demanding sustainable transformation – it can become an unbearable task for leaders. It does not help that sustainability is already an inconsistently discussed topic – plus staying on top of trends in an ever-changing world is energy-draining. How to cope with all those challenges as a sustainable leader? Principles of sustainable leadership guide the way for leaders who want to do more good and bring their businesses on track in their sustainability journey. Let the change begin!

Create An App And Contribute To Sustainable Development

Contributing to Sustainability has never been easier. With the world wide web, we have access to almost any resource we need to support a sustainable transition with apps for example. Apps are super convenient because we always have our smartphones with us. It’s also not so complicated anymore to develop an app. There are so many different apps to help us be more sustainable. It doesn’t matter if you want to be more environmentally conscious, eliminate your waste habits, purchase environmentally and socially responsible products, etc. There is an app for everyone. If not, maybe you can develop one in your underserved niche.

Why I Started My Reimagine Sustainability Blog?

Sustainability is what I dedicate to my life. For too long, I felt helpless and increasingly annoyed by news about climate change, biodiversity loss, food crises, rising mental health issues etc. It’s a lot to deal with for a normal human being. But I always believed in Sustainability, it simply makes sense to me to adapt to the Earth’s systems. Our societies developed on ideals of exploitation and destruction, but good and kind people have a voice now. Thank you, internet! It doesn’t take much anymore to become the change you want to see in this world.

The 10 Most Pressing Sustainability Challenges Of The 21st Century

Environmental, social and economic sustainability challenges are more diverse than we are aware of. We can not simply focus on one challenge (climate crisis). Instead, we need to address all the various challenges of the 21st century if humanity wants to experience the 22nd century. Our future depends on the actions we take today. Long-term sustainability goals will help us to create a livable future. Nonetheless, it is not wrong to be aware of what the hurdles actually are. Therefore, I collected the 10 most pressing challenges of the 21st century to give an overview of where urgent action is needed.

ABC Of Sustainability: The Vital Role Of Words To Change The World

The alphabet is the foundation of many spoken languages. Communication is a necessary factor to understand our world better. Our choice of words determines our success or failure. The words we use reflect our knowledge, beliefs and values, thus underestimating the power of words can get us into trouble. However, trouble is what we are in considering the many challenges humankind is facing. Sustainability is associated with different terms and it is our choice if the words we use bring positive or negative results. Which words does it take to make our world a better place? Let us find out!

The Meaning Of Sustainability: Gain A Different Perspective [Video]

The Latin script alphabet is the foundation of many spoken languages. Communication is a necessary factor to understand our world better. Consequently, the words we use reflect our knowledge, beliefs and values, thus underestimating the power of words can get us into trouble. To keep us away from trouble, I decided to produce video content to bring different sustainability ideas to you. Video content has a different quality and to create a future worth looking forward to, we need to visualise how it can look like. I want to invite you to join me on the journey towards a sustainable world.

Do Your Sustainable New Year’s Resolutions Pass The Test? Find Out More…

Following through with New Year’s resolutions is a rewarding feeling. When we stick to accomplishing the changes we want to see in our lives, we feel empowered, happy and invincible. Imagine we could use this power to make our world a better place. It is possible, but we need to do some pre-work that will bring us on the right path to greatness. Too often, we put a spoke in our wheel. It is not only bad for our self-esteem, but also for our planet which is in urgent need of sustainable action. Let’s prevent our resolutions from dissolving into hot air!

7 Powerful Ways To Focus On What Is In Your Control

We feel good when we can freely spend our time on what matters most. Understandably, we get frustrated if we are not in control of our precious time. Control is a relevant topic and refers to control over others and control of yourself. The latter is a competency that contributes to your mental and physical health. Unfortunately, we don’t have much control over our lives as we have to stick to working schedules, household chores and other obligations. Acknowledging what is outside of our control and not letting it consume us is an essential step to gaining sovereignty.

Why Sustainability Is Not Outdated Or Boring

We still try to define Sustainability and answer the “Why” although we are already in the tornado. It’s difficult to stay engaged or figure out our role in this chaoes of misinterpretation and misinformation. Wouldn’t it be easier if we agreed on asking only “How?” questions? How are we going to solve the climate crisis? How are we going to stop biodiversity loss? How are we going to change our exploitative economy? How can each of us find our purpose? I think we can do it! But firstly, let’s clarify that Sustainability is far from being outdated.

2 Comments

  1. Älga

    There is a group of plants called thermogenic plants that are able to produce their own heat. I think non of them is suitable as a house plant and it they were probably they would not produce enough heat, but how cool would that be 👀

    Reply
    • Veronika Tietz

      Love your idea! This will be added to the list as a future opportunity 🙂 Thank you for sharing this cool energy-saving idea!

      Reply

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