Click play to listen to the Celebrate Earth Day with Energy Saving Tips article. 

Earth Day is celebrated every April 22nd. This year, that falls on a Friday—so let’s celebrate!

The official Earth Day website has some excellent ways to get involved in this year’s events, and they include this description of the mission for 2022:

This is the moment to change it all — the business climate, the political climate, and how we take action on climate. Now is the time for the unstoppable courage to preserve and protect our health, our families, and our livelihoods.

For Earth Day 2022, we need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It’s going to take all of us. All in. Businesses, governments, and citizens — everyone accounted for, and everyone accountable. A partnership for the planet.

Do your part by participating in events like garbage cleanup, tree planting, or climate change activism and awareness. If you’re unable to get outside that day, you can spread the word about Earth Day and the importance of caring for the planet on social media with the official hashtag #InvestInOurPlanet.

Reducing Energy Consumption

Earth Day brings renewed awareness around preservation and sustainability. It’s a great chance to start new habits that will reduce our energy consumption and have a positive impact on the planet.

Here are some everyday ways you can use less energy, especially during the upcoming summer months:

• Lay Off the A/C
  Air conditioning accounts for 17% of the average American household’s annual energy usage. That’s understandable with extreme summer temperatures becoming more common, but most of us can stay comfortable at slightly higher indoor temperatures.
  The S. Energy Department recommends setting your thermostat to 78°F when you’re home, and 85°F when you’re away to save up to 10% on your energy bill.
• Wash Cold and Hang Dry
  Washing clothes uses large amounts of water and electricity, and can add heat to your home. Hot water washing machine cycles require a lot of energy, so save them for killing germs on soiled towels or clothes, especially when there’s someone sick at home and you don’t want the germs to spread. When it comes time to dry, hang clothes on an outdoor clothesline or indoor drying rack when possible. Again, the heat of the dryer can be useful for killing germs, so use it when needed.
• Use Light Sparingly
  Depending on the amount and location of the windows in your home, extended sunlight hours can keep you from using indoor lighting for much of the day. You can also employ what’s called “task lighting,” which trades energy-hungry diffuse lighting like ceiling lights for efficient, focused lights like LED table lamps and track lighting.
• Install Efficient Appliances
  Check for the ENERGY STAR^® certification on large appliances like your air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine, and dishwasher. AprilAire whole-home e-series dehumidifiers (Models E080, E100, and E130) were awarded the ENERGY STAR^® certification in 2022, showing they deliver 23% energy savings compared to uncertified units. Plus, using a dehumidifier helps reduce the burden on your air conditioner.
  
• Cook Smart
  Take advantage of pressure cookers, slow cookers, and toaster ovens for smaller baking and toasting tasks. These appliances save time, keep the house cool, and consume less energy compared to a large conventional oven.
  Plus, there are lots of summer-friendly, no-bake recipes that the whole family can prepare and enjoy.