5 Easy Ways to Go Green at Home
By Christa
Turn It Off – All the Way Off
How many people do you know who leave lights and computers on because they claim it takes more power to turn it on than to run it? With lights, that’s straight up incorrect, and with computers, it’s only true if yours is from about 1993 or earlier. Then there are phantom power users like the TV and other appliances, which can draw huge amounts of power even when “off”. Using something like the Belkin Remote Power Strip makes it easy to be sure that off means off. Remember, that a lot of electricity comes from burning coal.
Shed Some LED Light On the Subject
We all have three choices when it comes to lighting up the world: compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), incandescent bulbs, and the new LED bulbs. CFLs use less energy than incandescent bulbs and last longer – up to 10 times longer – but it’s not always easy to find outlets for recycling the bulbs and the mercury inside means tossing them isn’t green. LED lights, on the other hand, use about half as much power as CFLs, contain no mercury, and last a long, long time, even when on continuously. The downside? The new LED light bulbs are a lot more expensive in the short term than other bulbs.
Turn the Dial Down
Your home shouldn’t be too hot or too cold – in the winter, put on the sweater; in the summer, get thee to the pool. In some cases, you should think about turning off, like when it’s not broiling could you cope with using a ceiling fan instead of your AC? The same goes for your fridge and freezer. A lot of people keep ’em cranked because they’re afraid of good food going bad, but most of the time you can cut your energy costs with no ill effects by turning the thermostat up a degree or two. And while you’re at it, feel free to turn your water heater dial down a notch, too.
Keep It Clean
Clean your appliances and any filters regularly, since dust can affect the energy efficiency of things like refrigerators and air conditioners. And when it comes to keeping clothing clean, wash your duds in cold water whenever possible. Most of today’s washing powders and liquids don’t require hot water to give you a nice solid clean, and washing in cold water can help your clothing last longer.
Eat Thoughtfully
When you’re buying food, look for whole foods in minimal packaging. Better than minimal packaging is no packaging at all – things with skins, like bananas or squash, can go right into your reusable shopping bags. If buying foods sans packaging isn’t possible, look for packaging that’s entirely recyclable. Remember the magic trinity: organic, local, and whole. Going vegan even a few meals each week can reduce your share of greenhouse gasses. And when you do reach for animal products, try to get them from green sources like farms that practice sustainable growing and animal husbandry.
