The timing of my post is somewhat ironic. Little did I know that I would be writing this at a time when my mom and brother, who live in Texas, would be experiencing shockingly cold southern temperatures and hours of power outages resulting in no heat or running water. And of course, here at home, we are finally climbing out of our most recent polar vortex, however Minnesota is better equipped to deal with such weather extremes. But what a weather month so far for the country!
February’s creation care theme is energy efficiency, and if I thought turning my thermostat farther down from 1,200 miles away would help my mom and brother now, I would do it in a heartbeat. But power grids are a bit more complicated than that, and long-term solutions even more so. The best I can do is stay the course and focus on my own home’s energy efficiency. In our home, we strive to keep the programmable thermostat at 69 degrees or lower regularly in the winter, and do not turn the AC on in the summer unless it’s extremely hot or humid. When weather is good, open windows are a must in our home.
The benefits? Lower utility costs, extended life for the furnace and air conditioner, and a smaller carbon footprint. But for this earth lover, the benefits don’t end there. I appreciate breathing fresh air inside, hearing the birds sing every morning, and enjoying fragrant breezes that flowers and lilacs bring, all of which give me a front row appreciation for God’s creation.
If you need ideas on how to make your home more energy efficient, be sure to check out Creation Care’s February theme page where you’ll find tips, ideas and website resources. Let’s pray for an early and warm spring!
Kathy Tinker Creation Care Ministry
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