Hot Topic: 5 Easy Ways to Go Green and Save Green this Fall
by Kate L. Harrison, Esq.
It’s official – green is the new black. With so many companies, newspapers and tv shows offing new ways to be eco-friendly, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. However, by making a few simple green changes in your life, you can not only go green, but save green too. Here are five easy ways to green your home that will leave you a little extra cash for the up-coming holiday season.
1. Keep your cool
Almost half of the energy used in a house goes to heating and cooling. In cold weather, every degree you go below 68 cuts 3-5% off your heating bill. Consider buying a programmable thermostat that will allow you to cool the place off while you are away at work, and in the middle of the night, while you are snug in your bed.
2. Watch your water
Adding an aerators to your faucents (which adds air to your water so it feels like more is coming out than really is) can reduce water consumption by 50%. To take it an extra step, install a low-flow or duel-action toilet. For the do-it-yourself (DIY) version, fill a 1 litre soda bottle with water and put it in the back of your toilet, or manually adjust the float valve to reduce the amount of water held in the tank.
3. Face the fridge
According to the EPA, replacing an old fridge can save you up to $150 a year. Appliances account for about 20% of a home’s total energy bill, and the fridge is one of the biggest energy suckers. If your fridge is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with an energy-efficient version. Energy Star appliances use up to 50% less energy to run. If you sell your old fridge on Craigslist, you can recoup a lot of the cost right away.
4. Light the way
Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) use one third the energy of incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times as long. As bulbs burn out, replace them with CFLs. The savings here adds up quickly. For example, for every 100-watt bulb you replace with a 32-watt CFL, you can save $30 in electricity costs.
5. Clean green
In addition to being toxic for you and the environment, commercial cleaning products are expensive. The good news is that there are dozens of simple solutions that are safe, effective, and economical that you can make at home. A few examples include:
• Glass cleaner = 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup water.
• Oven Cleaner = baking soda, salt and hot water (make a paste)
• Cleaning Scrub = 1 cup Borax, 2 cups salt, 2 cups baking soda, 8 drops essential oil (for fragrance).
For more green cleaning ideas, see The Joy of Green Cleaning website: http://www.thejoyofgreencleaning.com
Suggested reading: Green to Gold; Go Green Live Rich.
