Green Living: Holiday habits that help save resources
If you haven't noticed, this year's weather
so far has not quite been what we would
expect for a typical November (or
December) in London, Ontario. Usually, our
winter apparatus is already in full gear as we
scrape the ice off our windshields, and the
snow flies by. This year we are sitting on
patios and wearing sweaters instead of
snowsuits.
Some argue that the warm weather is a side-effect of our world's impending climate change, and they may just be right. So, with that in mind I ask all of you to practice a few energy-saving holiday habits as we gear up for the festive season.
One terrific way of ensuring you are using less energy is to make the switch from traditional Christmas lights to the power-saving LED variety. While most LEDs are a bit too bright for the die-hard Christmas decorator, the recent arrival of smaller and more “traditional” styled ones may be just the answer for their tastes, as well as for the environment.
Once you have all of your lights hung and have made sure that they're all in working order, it's time to schedule when you want them to appear illuminated. To be a true energy conservationalist, your lights should be turned off whenever you leave your home, the sun is up, and when you head off to bed.
If you enjoy the look of having your lights aglow when you come home or while you're asleep, you can find Christmas light timers that will shut your lights off for you when you no longer need them on. Likewise, if you think unplugging and re-plugging your lights is a hassle you can purchase a Christmas light remote for easy switch on/off.
For those of you who are even more ecoconscious, solar-powered lights are now available on the shelves of any home improvement store. Not only can you have these lights lit for as long as you'd like, but as well, they can be found at most Canadian Tire stores, and won't break the bank.
If you have a fireplace handy relying upon it more so than your heating unit, is another great way to conserve energy on those cold winter nights. With their warm cozy glow that fights off any winter chill, fireplaces are so perfect for the season that it would be a crime not to use one if you have one at your disposal!
A final solid way to keep your home nice and warm without blasting the heat, is to bake or roast a meal in your oven. Slow roasting dinners or baking some treats will not only heat up your home, but will fill the air with fantastic fragrances, too. Just make sure to invite some company over to share in the delight!
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Some argue that the warm weather is a side-effect of our world's impending climate change, and they may just be right. So, with that in mind I ask all of you to practice a few energy-saving holiday habits as we gear up for the festive season.
One terrific way of ensuring you are using less energy is to make the switch from traditional Christmas lights to the power-saving LED variety. While most LEDs are a bit too bright for the die-hard Christmas decorator, the recent arrival of smaller and more “traditional” styled ones may be just the answer for their tastes, as well as for the environment.
Once you have all of your lights hung and have made sure that they're all in working order, it's time to schedule when you want them to appear illuminated. To be a true energy conservationalist, your lights should be turned off whenever you leave your home, the sun is up, and when you head off to bed.
If you enjoy the look of having your lights aglow when you come home or while you're asleep, you can find Christmas light timers that will shut your lights off for you when you no longer need them on. Likewise, if you think unplugging and re-plugging your lights is a hassle you can purchase a Christmas light remote for easy switch on/off.
For those of you who are even more ecoconscious, solar-powered lights are now available on the shelves of any home improvement store. Not only can you have these lights lit for as long as you'd like, but as well, they can be found at most Canadian Tire stores, and won't break the bank.
If you have a fireplace handy relying upon it more so than your heating unit, is another great way to conserve energy on those cold winter nights. With their warm cozy glow that fights off any winter chill, fireplaces are so perfect for the season that it would be a crime not to use one if you have one at your disposal!
A final solid way to keep your home nice and warm without blasting the heat, is to bake or roast a meal in your oven. Slow roasting dinners or baking some treats will not only heat up your home, but will fill the air with fantastic fragrances, too. Just make sure to invite some company over to share in the delight!
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
