Loving your planet

4 ways to love your planet this Valentine’s Day


February 12, 2021 | 4min read

Valentine’s Day is about love – all types of it! It is a special day to love your significant other, family, friends, and your planet. At Freedom Forever, we believe installing a solar system is an act of love for our environment. In addition to saving you money, solar panels help combat harmful greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. They are a critical solution to combat the climate crisis. Here are four ways you can show your love by going solar and give back to the environment.

1. Conserve water 

Saving the planet is a big deal, but you can start small. By implementing some small changes into your daily life, you can be sure that you are doing your part in combating climate change. Your solar system will also be doing its part in reducing water consumption!

What you can do: Small routine changes such as taking shorter showers and shutting off the water when you are brushing your teeth can help contribute. Practice smart lawn watering habits or install a smart watering system. 

What solar can do: Unlike other renewable energy systems, solar systems don’t use water to produce electricity. In fact, the US Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy believes solar systems may help reduce water consumption in at least 36 states. Power plants use 600-800 gallons of water for cooling down; solar does not require any water or extra equipment to keep running. 

2. Cut harmful emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions make a significant impact on our local communities and the entire planet. They directly cause climate change by trapping heat and increasing wildfires. By reducing carbon dioxide emissions, you can help fight the climate crisis. 

What you can do: Explore alternative transportation options. Consider biking to work once a week or using public transportation.  If your commute requires a personal vehicle, consider a hybrid or fully electric vehicle. Bonus! If you install a solar system, you can charge your electric car in the comfort of your own home without paying a fortune. 

What solar can do: Solar systems generate clean energy with zero greenhouse gas emissions and zero environmental impact. Each kilowatt-hour (kWh) your system produces reduces carbon emissions released by a single kWh produced by traditional energy systems. Solar represents a long-term solution for the reduction of harmful gas emissions and the global temperature increase. 

3. Reduce your home’s carbon footprint

Take pride in what YOU and your family are doing for the planet. There are countless ways you can reduce your carbon footprint within your household. Recruit your family to make changes for the environment and invest in your home. It is right for you and the planet.

What you can do: You can keep your house up to date by fixing leaky faucets and making sure you are only using what water and energy you need. Consider going solar instead of using energy from the grid. Solar may increase your home value and help it sell faster in the future. It also reduces greenhouse emissions, as mentioned above. 

What solar can do: Even a small solar system is very powerful. By reducing the amount of energy you use from the grid, you are reducing your carbon footprint. A smaller solar system can power your home during the day while you still use traditional electricity at night. However, if you want to make a more significant difference, you might want to consider a bigger system with batteries to ensure you are running mostly on sunshine, even at night. 

4. Love your sun!

Remember all the great things our sun does for our planet and you. Take some time to appreciate its beauty. The sun produces 173,000 terawatts of solar energy per second. This power is both sustainable and clean. Your solar system can help you run on sunshine by converting solar energy into clean power for your home.

What you can do: Spend some time outdoors and get a healthy dose of vitamin D, an essential vitamin for your immune system. Taking a walk with a loved one is also a great way to boost your serotonin levels, a chemical proven to help improve your mood. Don’t forget your sunscreen!

What solar can do: You and your home can both run on sunshine! Solar panels use the photons produced by sunlight to make direct current (DC) electricity. DC electricity is what powers your home. While the prime sunlight hours of 9 am to 3 pm, your system will produce the most electricity. Get the most out of your system and the sun by installing batteries in the system. You can also sell this excess energy back to the grid if your utility company participates in net metering.