Tips for Enjoying a Green and Healthy Home
Being “Green” is a simple adjustment in how we live, and offers excellent benefits! Enjoy lower utility bills—while helping to conserve natural resources; less waste results in less landfill in our community; and using green cleaning products will result in a cleaner and happier home—and environment. Here are some tips that save money, maintain a healthier home, and leave the planet in better shape for future generations.
1. Maximize your Energy in Winter. If your windows are older or do not insulate well, buy a $10 kit to insulate them with plastic. It’s easy to do, you won’t notice the plastic, and this simple adjustment makes our home 2-3 times warmer in the winter—and uses a lot less energy. Also, invest in programmable thermostats, and keep them set to 68 degrees. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-70 degree range, you conserve 5% of your energy use! And, use the sun to your advantage! Open curtains during the day, and let the sun’s energy warm up your house. Close curtains at night to help stop heat from escaping through the glass.
2. Buy Energy Efficient Appliances. When old appliances wear out, look for new ones that have a good Energy Star Rating, and that are eco-friendly if possible. I recently replaced a washer and dryer, and found one brand (Fisher & Paykel) that made them at the same price, but used half the water and half the electricity of other leading brands! And their warranty is twice as long! Better technology is available at the same price, and the savings alone will pay for the appliances in a few years!
3. Conserve Water. Making simple changes can drastically reduce your water bill, and help to conserve this limited and vital resource. Installing newer shower heads that use water more efficiently; adjusting sprinkler times to water in the evening, more deeply and less frequently, considering plants that use less water—but are just as beautiful; turning off the water while you shave or brush your teeth; and even adjusting the valve in a toilet tank can save hundreds of gallons of water each month!
4. Install Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. They use 75% less energy, last up to 10 times longer, and save you around $30 per bulb in energy costs! If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.
5. Invest in Fuel Efficient Vehicles. Next time you look at replacing a vehicle, look for one that meets your needs, but with better fuel efficiency. Car Manufacturers are already aware of the need for drastically improved fuel efficiency, and buying a vehicle that is fuel efficient gives you lower prices at the pump, and gives them another purchase in support of changing manufacturing trends.
Remember, each time you purchase something, you are casting a ‘vote’ for one product and against another. The more ‘votes’ that are cast for green products, the more manufacturers will change the marketplace, and that’s a change where everyone wins!
87 Money-Saving Tips for Conserving Water
1. There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.
2. When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
3. Adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
4. Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
5. Choose shrubs and groundcovers instead of turf for hard-to-water areas such as steep slopes and isolated strips.
6. Install covers on pools and spas and check for leaks around your pumps.
7. Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead and save gallons every time.
8. Plant in the fall when conditions are cooler and rainfall is more plentiful.
9. For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
10. Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
11. Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
12. Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
13. Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
14. Spreading a layer of organic mulch around plants retains moisture and saves water, time and money. It also reduces weeds—which compete for water.
15. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
16. If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model.
17. If water runs off your lawn easily (or if your lawn slopes), split your watering time into shorter periods to allow for better absorption.
18. We're more likely to notice leaks indoors, but don't forget to check outdoor faucets, sprinklers and hoses for leaks.
19. Check the root zone of your lawn or garden for moisture before watering using a spade or trowel. If it's still moist two inches under the soil surface, you still have enough water.
20. When buying new appliances, consider those that offer cycle and load size adjustments. They're more water and energy efficient.
21. Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.
22. Upgrade older toilets with water efficient models.
23. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.
24. When cleaning out fish tanks, give the nutrient-rich water to your plants.
25. Use sprinklers for large areas of grass. Water small patches by hand to avoid waste.
26. Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak. Fixing it can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
27. When running a bath, plug the tub before turning the water on, then adjust the temperature as the tub fills up.
28. Walkways and patios provide space that doesn't ever need to be watered. These useful "rooms" can also add value to your property.
29. Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
30. Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
31. Install a rain sensor on your irrigation controller so your system won't run when it's raining.
32. Don't use running water to thaw food. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
33. Use drip irrigation for shrubs and trees to apply water directly to the roots where it's needed.
34. Reduce the amount of lawn in your yard by planting shrubs and ground covers appropriate to your site and region.
35. When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
36. Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
37. Use a water-efficient showerhead. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
38. Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
39. Don't water your lawn on windy days when most of the water blows away or evaporates.
40. Know where your master water shut-off valve is located. This could save water and prevent damage to your home.
41. Group plants with the same watering needs together to avoid overwatering some while underwatering others.
42. Trickling or cascading fountains lose less water to evaporation than those spraying water into the air. Also, make sure they are equipped with recirculating pumps.
43. Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
44. Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
45. Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.
46. Learn how to shut off your automatic watering system in case it malfunctions or you get an unexpected rain.
47. Set a kitchen timer when watering your lawn or garden to remind you when to stop. A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute.
48. If your toilet flapper doesn't close after flushing, replace it.
49. Make sure there are water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.
50. Next time you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year.
51. Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don't have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
52. If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
53. When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it the most.
54. Bathe your young children together.
55. Winterize outdoor spigots when temperatures dip below freezing to prevent pipes from leaking or bursting.
56. Insulate hot water pipes for more immediate hot water at the faucet and for energy savings.
57. Drop your tissue in the trash instead of flushing it and save water every time.
58. Direct water from rain gutters and HVAC systems toward water-loving plants in the landscape for automatic water savings.
59. Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save water and money at work.
60. Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.
61. Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You'll save up to 100 gallons every time.
62. If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank.
63. Setting cooling systems and water softeners for a minimum number of refills saves both water and chemicals, plus more on utility bills.
64. Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
65. Leave lower branches on trees and shrubs and allow leaf litter to accumulate on the soil. This keeps the soil cooler and reduces evaporation.
66. Report broken pipes, open hydrants and errant sprinklers to the property owner or your water provider.
67. Let your lawn go dormant during the summer. Dormant grass only needs to be watered every three weeks or less if it rains.
68. Plant with finished compost to add water-holding and nutrient-rich organic matter to the soil.
69. Use sprinklers that deliver big drops of water close to the ground. Smaller water drops and mist often evaporate before they hit the ground.
70. Listen for dripping faucets and running toilets. Fixing a leak can save 300 gallons a month or more.
71. Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.
72. One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a scrumptious and nutritious soup.
73. Adjust your watering schedule each month to match seasonal weather conditions and landscape requirements.
74. Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.
75. Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.
76. When shopping for a new clothes washer, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some of these can save up to 20 gallons per load, and energy too.
77. Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.
78. When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or a large container and rinse when all of the dishes have been soaped and scrubbed.
79. Turn off the water while you shave and brush your teeth: save up to 300 gallons a month.
80. When you give your pet fresh water, don't throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.
81. If you accidentally drop ice cubes when filling your glass from the freezer, don't throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
82. To save water and time, consider washing your face or brushing your teeth while in the shower.
83. While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.
84. When you have ice left in your cup from a take-out restaurant, don't throw it in the trash, dump it on a plant.
85. Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets or water plants.
86. When you are washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather.
87. Share water conservation tips with friends and neighbors.
10 Tips for Conserving Energy in Winter
1. Make sure your heating system is in good condition. Before turning on the heat this winter, change your heating system’s air filter. Take a peek at your ducts and seal up any holes in the joints using shiny foil tape with a UL-181 label or with duct mastic. You can check the owner’s manual for additional maintenance tips to keep it running efficiently.
2. Keep that thermostat at 68°F. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60 to 70 degree range, you conserve 5% of your energy use. Snuggle up in a warm sweater instead of turning up the heat. Bonus: your cats are extra cuddly when it’s a bit chilly in the house!
3. Take advantage of the sun! Open your curtains during the day, and let the sun’s energy warm up your house. Pull the curtains at night to help stop heat from escaping through the glass.
4. Seal around your windows and doors. Check around window and door frames for cracks or leaks where cold air could be seeping in. You can seal these up with caulk. For larger gaps, check out your local hardware store for sealing solutions.
5. Be a draft dodger. Warm air can escape under exterior doors. Seal up these areas by keeping a rolled up towel pressed against the bottom of the door, dorm-room style. If you want to get fancy, WikiHow has a great tutorial on making your own!
6. Turn down your hot water heater. Make sure it’s set to “normal” or 120 degrees. Any hotter is just a waste of energy.
7. Practice a little feng shui. Set up your rooms so that places where you sit and sleep are not near big windows or exterior walls, wherever possible. If your sofa, bed, or desk has to be near exterior walls or a big window, you might add a little warmth and flair with some heavy curtains over that window or a cheery wall-hanging.
8. Invest in a programmable thermostat. By setting your heat at a lower temperature while you’re away or sleeping, you’ll see big energy savings without sacrificing comfort.
9. Cover your floors. If you have tile or hardwood floors, you can keep things cozy by laying out an area rug, especially if you have a basement or crawlspace.
10. Don’t turn off those ceiling fans - reverse them! I know, it sounds crazy. Why would you run your ceiling fan when it’s cold outside? Your fan is actually a great way to keep warm air circulating in your home. Most come equipped with a switch to reverse the direction that the blades turn. By flipping the switch and setting it on low, you can use your fan to push warm air that’s trapped up at the ceiling down to the living area.
If you want to go a step further, try contacting your local utility company for an energy audit. The EnergyStar Website also has some great tools for assessing your home’s energy efficiency!
10 Tips for Green Cleaning
1) Use cleaning products made from safe natural and not-toxic ingredients to prevent exposure to the hazardous synthetic chemicals conventional cleaners contain.
2) Dust with a damp cloth to ensure that household dust, which collects toxins, is removed from surfaces and not stirred back into the air.
3) Open windows and doors occasionally (even in winter!) to rinse out any air pollutants that have accumulated inside.
4) Don’t use aerosol products. They fill your home with microscopic droplets of whatever is being sprayed. These droplets remain suspended in the air for hours and are easily inhaled.
5) Avoid room deodorizers or other air “freshening” products, which are frequently made from unhealthy chemicals.
6) Don’t use any pesticide products in your home, your yard or garden, or on your pets. Instead, supplement a preventative strategy with natural pest control methods.
7) If you decide to use them, keep conventional cleaners and other chemical products out of your children’s rooms.
8) Use chlorine-free dishwasher detergent. The chlorine in conventional detergents is easily vaporized by hot dishwasher water and then released into your home’s air.
9) Ask guests to remove their shoes when entering your home. That way, they won’t track in pollutants.
10) Buy a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. These special filters trap unhealthy dust particles.
Additional Resources/Credits:
http://www.seventhgeneration.com
http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/
http://greenoptions.com/author/beckyanne |
