Energy Saving from Living Plants
Bringing the outside in can provide comfort especially in the winter. Indoor plants can be enjoyable and decorative. Studies have shown that plants help clean the air. There is no shortage of benefits from indoor plants. However maintaining a lush array of household plants does require energy.
What You Can Do to Save Energy
Know the light requirements of plants. Try to use light through a window when possible. |
Use timer and fluorescent bulbs for plant lights. |
Manually mist plants instead of running humidifier. |
Impact of You Energy Saving Actions
The energy requirements for houseplants is small. By considering plant location, lighting scheme, and watering based on energy, then consumption can remain small.
How Energy is Lost
Plants need light. Artificial light uses energy. In the summer, light from outside add heat which must be removed by the air conditioner. See lighting for more about saving energy from lights.
Plants also need moisture. Operating a humidifier uses energy. See humidifiers for more information of saving energy from humidifiers.
Energy Solutions Explained
Group plants by lighting requirements. Place those with high light needs near natural light sources. Fluorescent light bulbs have better light spectrum and are more efficient than incandescent bulbs. Timers allow applying the right amount of light without using too much.
