Going Green: Living Green Around Your Home
Throughout the home, there are a variety of ways you can Go Green and not only start saving the environment, but also start saving money!
Turning off lights and appliances that are not currently being used will reduce energy consumption and save you money. Unplugging appliances that are not being used will also reduce energy consumption that isn't even noticed, as most electronics with a remote don't have a true "off" switch, and are actually remaining on "standby" and still drawing power. Screensavers use as much energy as the computer actually being on, so power down at the end of each day or usage session. Avoid printing everything sent to you to reduce the amount of paper being used in the home. If printing is needed, ensure you recycle the paper in the future. Mobiles and iPods only take a few hours to charge, so save energy by not setting them to charge overnight. Save energy and turn your heat down at night. Your core body temperature will naturally drop a bit, and your covers provide insulation. Regularly check your furnace filters to ensure they are clean. Dirty filters will require more energy and increase heating bills. Close your curtains to keep the heat out during the summer and the heat in during the winter. Install window and door sealers, weatherstripping, and caulking to prevent heat loss. Paints that are low in (or have no) VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) are healthier for the environment. Change current lightbulbs over to CFL's (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs), which use 75% less electricity than traditional ones and last years longer. Recycle products like bottles, cans, computers, packing peanuts, electronics, metals, paper, etc. for a refund rather than throwing them into landfills. One person's junk is another person's treasure, so consider donating or selling furniture, clothes, or other possessions rather than throwing them out. Using gift bags rather than wrapping paper will cut down on the amount of trees being cut down, as well as makes it easy to wrap those special gifts. Tanya