The best magazine
Most of us don't think about how the daily activities that we may use energy or cause waste.
Some are obvious, but others require you to stop and think if it's the best use of your resources and the earth's.
Here are some basic ideas to get you started along the green path: 1) Buy Energy Efficient Light Bulbs Most fixtures around your home and office can use energy efficient light bulbs.
As with any light bulb, some give off more light than others.
Take the time to visit your local hardware store where there is a wide assortment of bulb types to choose from.
There are wonderful natural light bulbs that can be used near plants or office areas to help supplement the natural daytime lighting in your home.
There are also bright lights for workshops or to illuminate the back yard.
There is a bulb for each purpose that uses less energy saving you $$$ and replacement time; since they last longer and help with our environment.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) light bulbs are ideal candidates to go green with.
LEDs are extremely durable and have a life cycle of approximately 60,000 hours.
These "cool to the touch" bulbs only use 1.
5 to 10 watts of electricity compared to incandescent, fluorescent and halogen types which have the potential to save you over $350 per light bulb! 2) Buy a Programmable Thermostat Programmable thermostats not only save you from adjusting your heating/cooling when you get home, but they also save energy by controlling the atmosphere throughout the day.
Weekdays or for each specific weekend days, these time and money savers take the need to monitor your home out of your to-do list.
3) Recycle Paper, Glass and Cans Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Look at the items you buy at the grocery store.
Do those items have excess packaging? What types of plastic or paper do they use? Is there a way to reuse that container at all? What other products or fresh foods would serve your purpose better and reduce waste? Check with your local recycling pickup for the kinds of items they can process.
You can also read our "BECOME AN EXPERT IN RECYCLING" article to get the detailed scoop on what can be set by most curbs.
4) Organic Recycling or Composting Organic recycling is becoming more popular and some urban areas are now supplying this pickup service along with standard recycling pickup.
As a resource, not waste, it goes to a composting facility instead of a landfill or being burned in an incinerator.
By composting organics, you can help lessen the impact of climate change by reducing the creation of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that has twenty times more warming potential than carbon dioxide, at landfills.
Organic recycling is generally a combination of food scraps and food-soiled paper products.
Coffee grounds, egg shells, meat, veggies, napkins, pizza boxes, waxed paper, paper containers, tea bags, dryer lint, tissues and house plants are just some of the items that can be included.
Composting is used more in rural areas or urban homes that have a yard.
Composting is simply combining dirt, leaves, grass, brush and moisture in a controlled area so that it can sit for 2-4 months and "process" into usable landscaping fill, which can reduce erosion and replenish the soils nutrients.
When adding organic materials from your home to a composting process, you can use food scraps (without meat) and light weight food soiled paper products.
Be sure that you keep the pile moist and in the sun as this adds fuel to the composting process.
Be sure to turn your pile every few weeks as well.
5) Watch Your Water Usage Going beyond shutting off the faucet while brushing your teeth or using the garbage disposal frequently (compost instead); check your faucets, toilets and baths for leaking fixtures.
Most leaks can be fixed with a $.
50 rubber gasket or a small adjustment with a screwdriver to save you money over the course of a year.
- Check to see if your toilets are flushing too much water - if so, add a weighted item like a plastic container of rocks in your tank to use less water or buy a water efficient toilet as a replacement.
Older toilets tanks can start leaking.
A tell-tale sign is the sound of the tank refilling even though the toilet was not flushed (more noticeable at night when households are generally quieter).
Replacing the float or rubber stopper in the tank will fix that problem and save hundreds of gallons over the course of a year.
- Water your plants with rain water instead of the sprinkler hose.
Put your outside watering systems on a timer system and water at night.
- Have excess drinking water in that cup? Pour it on your plants; they would love the extra drink once in a while.
6) Buy Organic Foods Fewer pesticides used in food is all the better - for both for you and the environment.
Many growers are trying to eliminate the need and cost of chemicals to grow their products, but some will never eliminate it totally.
Try to be selective in what you buy and visit the local farmers markets in your area.
Cannot afford to buy totally organic food? Try to buy items that require fewer pesticides; such as fruit with protective layers like bananas or pineapple.
7) Use Organic Cleaning Materials White vinegar is one of the best cleaning agents around.
However, if you don't want the smell that comes with it and you want to go away from using harmful chemicals, there are many cleaning materials available on the market that are organic and smell great! A favorite site for cleaning products and advice is mrsmeyers.
com for powerful and safe products for your home.
8) Unplug Electrical Items Not In Use Do you have a TV that sits in a room and is hardly used? Are there items in the garage that are always plugged in but operated only on occasion? Any electronic item can still draw energy even while being shut off.
(This is why usually the first step in fixing them is to unplug the unit.
) Make sure your items that are being used on a not-so-regular basis are unplugged from the wall in order to save energy and reduce the electronic waves around the house.
This will not only save money, but also help you to relax better in your home.
9) Watch the GAS! Most of us follow a regular schedule and commute to work each day.
We also run errands and travel to one or two places then return home.
Carpooling, biking or walking is a great way to not only reduce gas consumption, but also get some quality time for mind & body.
If you must drive, consider combining your errands to one direction and map out your destinations to eliminate the need for excessive driving.
10) Good Use of Heating and Cooling Make sure your heating and cooling energy is put to good use.
The popular saying, "Don't heat(or cool) the outside!" that most parents say often is also one that needs to be remembered by everyone else.
Make sure doors and windows are shut quickly.
Insulate your windows and doors by feeling around them for hot or cold air depending upon the season.
Insulate your outlets and switches with easy to install foam pads.
If it's nice out, open your windows and shut off your systems.
Get a touch of nature inside with fresh air flowing through your rooms.
It doesn't hurt to let your home fluctuate between 10 degrees as day and night shifts happen.
Just remember, you are using Mother Nature as intended, no need to pay for temperature control.
Source: ...