5 Fall-Friendly Tips For Green Living in Arizona

Many people think less about energy consumption and living green as temperatures cool off. As we spend more time outside, fall is a great time to broaden our carbon reduction efforts outside our homes. Here are a few fall-friendly, green living tips you can do as we leave summer in the rearview mirror.

1. Turn off your air conditioning for the season.

It would be tough to survive the sweltering Arizona summer without your air conditioning, but during the fall, keeping it running is more of a luxury than a necessity. If you open your windows at night to let in the cool air and then close them again in the morning to trap that air inside, you'll likely find that your home stays at a comfortable temperature on most fall days.

2. Start a compost heap.

Fall's more comfortable temperatures make it the perfect season to start composting. Collect all your fruit and vegetable trimmings and bush or yard clippings, and place them in a pile in a corner of your property. Turn them over every week or so, and by spring, you'll have nutrient-rich compost to use in a garden or for potting plants. Plus, much less waste will have been sent to the landfill.

3. Replace your electric light bulbs

LED lights are wise investments for any homeowner. They don't just reduce, or in the case of solar-powered LEDs, eliminate your lighting-related electricity costs; they also last much longer, so you don't have to keep replacing bulbs.

4. Walk and bike instead of driving.

Fall's cooler temperatures make it easier to walk or bike to work without overheating. Even if you don't have time to do this every day, try committing to biking to work once or twice per week to cut down on fuel emissions.

5. Schedule a consultation for a solar energy system.

It’s never too early to start planning for next summer. Adding a solar energy system to your home requires time, from arranging to financing and designing the perfect panel arrangement for your rooftop to securing necessary permits and scheduling installation. With so many things to take care of, it’s never too early to ensure you’re up and running before the weather turns warm again. Plus, many solar companies have more time in their schedules to do assessments once the busy summer winds down. If you’ve ever wondered how much you could save on your electric bills by installing a solar energy system, the fall is the perfect time to find out.

Make this fall the season you dedicate yourself to living green. With the five tips above, you're well on your way.


You can download our exclusive solar guide to learn more about switching to solar energy. We invite you to download the guide, and if you're interested, request a custom solar quote from one of our solar experts today.

About the Author

Kyle Ritland, Marketing and Customer Experience

Kyle Ritland, Marketing and Customer Experience

After working in technology marketing throughout the Pacific Northwest and Silicon Valley for more than 20 years, Kyle opted to follow his heart and focus his talents in solar energy.

As the head of Marketing at Sun Valley Solar Solutions, Kyle works hard to demystify the ever-changing solar landscape in Arizona and across the country. He especially enjoys helping people separate fact from fiction by presenting solar transparently and accurately, rather than relying on hype or deceptive marketing tactics that are far too common with some solar companies.

When not touting the benefits of solar, encouraging his friends to opt for paper over plastic, or growing his own vegetables, Kyle is generally found hiking with his pointer Bravo or preparing a home-cooked meal for friends.

“If you truly understand how solar works it’s easy to see through the gimmicks. The opportunity for savings is very real when you have the correct information”