10 Simple Tips for a Greener Home

Big change starts with small actions.  Try using these 10 easy tips to green up your home and keep more cash in your wallet!

1. Change your Lightbulbs.  Switch from incandescent bulbs to fluorescent bulbs.  They use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer!  The cost is a little higher, but it would only take roughly 3 months to make up for it.
2. Use Low-Flow Shower Heads.  Every shower uses between approximately 10-20 gallons of water, which makes a huge impact on your water bill and the environment over time.  Using a low-flow shower head will feel just as powerful as normal shower heads, but can cut water usage by up to 60%.
3. Recycle.  If you haven’t started recycling already, what are you waiting for?  The benefits of recycling include preserving land, using less energy to create products, and cutting down space and resources used for filling landfills.
4. Go Paperless.  Have your monthly bill statements emailed electronically to you instead of mailed to your house.  You’re saving paper, plus the energy and cost of transportation to deliver the mail.  No one enjoys getting bills in the mail anyway, so switch to email!
5. Wash Clothes in Cold Water.  This will definitely help you save on your energy bill, not to mention that it will help avoid emitting over 1,200 lbs of carbon monoxide a year.
6. Unplug Unused Appliances.  Guess what? That toaster, coffee maker and blender you have plugged in on the kitchen counter all are using energy even when you’re not using them.  Those little amounts of energy add up big in the course of a year.  Easy fix – unplug any appliance that you are not using!
7. Turn off the Water when Brushing your Teeth.  It’s easy to do, and can save nearly 5 gallons of water a day.  Think of how much money and water you will be saving a year!
8. Shop at Farmers Markets.  Besides getting the freshest foods possible, buying produce locally eliminates fossil fuels and carbon emissions that are caused from transportation.  Sometimes foods can travel 1,300 miles or further just to reach your grocery store.
9. Substitute Chemical Cleaners for Organic.  Do some research online about affordable organic cleaners – there are a lot out there!  This will eliminate chemicals in your household and will better the health of your entire family.
10. Look for the Energy Star Label.  Because it’s sponsored by the Department of Energy ,you know you can trust this label.  Energy Star products guarantee that a product is energy efficient, using 35% less energy than a standard product.  Plus, most Energy Star label products will earn you an energy tax credit.