Tips For Living Greener At Home

If you are concerned about the environment and interested in creating a more eco-friendly  home, here are some tips to point you in that direction. These tips are not only good for the environment, but can also save you money.

1)  Use Power Strips- Plug your stereo, television, computer and other home appliances in each room of your home into one power strip. Do the same with your kitchen appliances. When it comes time to go to sleep, simply flip the switch on the power strip to off. You can also do this if you are going to be out of the house for several hours. If certain appliances must stay plugged in for whatever reason, don’t forget to turn off the rest. Also unplug items such as cell phone chargers when not in use. Studies have shown that appliances left plugged in while not in use account for approximately 10% of your energy usage.

2)  Use Ceiling Fans To Help Keep Air Circulating- In the summer time try setting your air conditioning somewhere in the upper 70’s and use your ceiling fan to help circulate the air in the room. The circulating air will help keep you cool. Blades should rotate in a counter clockwise direction in the summer and in the reverse direction in the winter. Ceiling fans can be a great addition to any home. They can help save you money on your cooling and heating bills and look great as well. One thing to remember is the ceiling fans only circulate the air, not actually cool or heat a room, so don’t forget to turn them off when you’re out of the room.

3)  Cutting Back Energy Costs in the Kitchen- A couple of days a week try not to use all your major appliances. Cook your dinner in the microwave, toaster oven, or even eat meals you don’t have to cook. A salad is refreshing on a hot summer day topped with last nights left over chicken or steak. Salad, fresh fruit, and frozen yogurt or ice cream for dessert make a great light summer meal.

4)  More Kitchen Savings- Use cloth napkins and towels versus paper napkins and paper towels. They can be washed and reused over and over again. This will save you money at the grocery store and save trees as well. Wash your dishes by hand and as an added bonus the leftover soapy water can be used to water your plants. Soapy water kills common household plant pests and waters your plants at the same time.

5)  Save Water in the Bathroom- Simply turning of the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving can save a significant amount of water. The average faucet has been shown to put out around three gallons of water per minute. The amount of savings can really add up both for your pocketbook and for the environment.

6)  Save Gas Whenever Possible- Try combining errands when you go out, carpool to work or when driving the kids to school, and try to map out the shortest route to get to your destination. The air and your gas bill will thank you.

7)  Don’t Forget the Bag and the Bottle- Invest in a cloth bag or two as well as a reusable water bottle. You can use your cloth bag not only at the grocery store, but anywhere you shop. Carry them in the car so that you always have them with you. A home water filtration system and some reusable water bottles ensure that you’ll never need to buy and lug heavy water bottles again. Keep some of your pre-filled bottles in the refrigerator to grab and go when you’re on the run.