Helpful Tips for Going "Green" at Home

Energy conservation is the first step to adopting a sustainable lifestyle; it is also the easiest. While this statement sounds daunting, there are many ways in which the average person may adopt sustainability principles in the workplace, home, while traveling, or even on vacation. Living a sustainable lifestyle soon permeates who you are, and then your location no longer matters.

On a recent trip to Michigan, my family stayed in a cottage on Lake Huron, and each night I reduced the thermostat and closed the blinds. The outdoor temperature was in the teens, and we probably saved the homeowner some money by being energy- conscious while we were there. Closing the blinds helps insulate against outside temperatures by creating a dead air space between the blinds and the window pane. Insulated blinds or drapes are designed to meet this need.

We dutifully saved our plastic containers and aluminum cans for recycling at the end of the trip. Michigan requires a deposit on all plastic and aluminum beverage containers, which makes it worthwhile to recycle. The grocery stores have recycling stations that accept plastic, glass, and aluminum containers, and then produce a cash-redeemable receipt to present to the cashier. We would have recycled anyway, because it has become a part of who we are as a family and as individuals.

There are many steps each consumer may take to reduce his or her energy consumption. The following is a list of simple, effective, inexpensive or free ways to begin your journey to a sustainable future.

Reduce your thermostat setting for time periods when you are not at home, or install a programmable clock thermostat for this purpose.

Reduce the setting of your hot water heater to warm (120°F). When it is time to replace your water heater, consider purchasing an Energy Star high-efficiency model. Purchase and install an insulating blanket on your hot water tank.

Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers. When using your dishwasher, make sure that you are washing a full load. Use warm or cold water for as much of your laundry as possible. Several families choose to hang most if not all of their clothes to dry. There is nothing that beats the fresh smell of line dried clothes or sheets. Tip: The sun and lemon juice will lighten stains on white fabrics.

Replace as many incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. Replacing 10 incandescent light bulbs in your home may save $75.00-$100.00 annually on your electric bill. Check out the following website for a comparison of incandescent and compact fluorescent bulbs.
BulbAmerica.com

Consider solar tubes for natural day lighting in windowless areas or any room of your home.

Clean or replace the filters in your furnace, air-conditioner, or heat pump. Doing so will improve efficiency, which in turn will reduce energy consumption.