As the time goes by, more and more people are growing more conscious about the ecological footprint they leave behind. The more energy and natural resources we use, the larger the footprint we leave. Though it is doubtful a typical person will be the lynch pin which leaves the world in ecological ruin, it is very forward thinking to make an effort to lessen our mark on nature.
First and foremost, consider installing renewable energy sources to your home. In the Miami area we have an abundance of sunlight. Start making those sun rays work for you. Solar energy panel technology has come a long way since those bulky and ugly panels of the 1990s. Today, solar panels are low profile and can blend right in with your homes existing roof lines. Not to say you will be able to use only solar panels to power your home, but depending on the size of your roof and your investment, the energy savings can be substantial. Installing solar panels may prove very difficult for a home do it yourselfer. Be sure to consult with a Miami area electrician for best results.
Second, start upgrading your homes electrical components. Do you have an old air conditioning unit that is killing your electrical bills? How about and old refrigerator or dishwasher that went on sale sometime in the 1980s? Modern technology has come a long way in the last 20 years. Start upgrading components now, a little at a time, so you won’t have to replace them all at once. When shopping for new components, be sure to look for ones rated energy efficient. This will ensure you are using the least amount of energy as possible.
Lastly, and just to show you that not every effort to reduce your ecological footprint will cost you thousands of dollars, consider planting a garden in your back yard. Yes, millions of people grow vegetable gardens each year; there is no mystery to it. Think about all of time, effort, and resources a company goes through in order to sell you a jar of, let’s say, pickles. From a farm, to the processing center, to the distribution center, to the store, to your home; the amount of gasoline it takes to get a pickle spear on your table is immense. Now consider you can grow and pickle cucumbers for next to nothing; the only requirement is your time and patience. Be sure to grow vegetables that can be jarred and preserved for months.