10 Easy Eco-Friendly Solutions
You see the ads in your glossy fashion mags for hybrid Toyotas, you catch the odd commercial for reducing carbon emissions while flicking channels during breaks on Entertainment Tonight. You've heard about Al Gore's documentary An Inconvenient Truth (and one day you will watch it, you promise).
The thing is, for you a more eco-friendly lifestyle seems very inconvenient. Public transportation? Nasty! Composting kitchen scraps? Too much work. Go Granola? Hello - I like to shave my legs, thanks.
Well, every little bit counts. Leave the tree hugging to your more militant friends and check out these easy eco-solutions that won't hugely disrupt your life. Once you see how simple an eco-friendlier life can be, you may be ready to take the next step.
1. Turn off your electronics when they aren't being used. Screen savers do not save enough energy, so when you're finished with your computer shut it down. In the same way, don't run the TV just for background noise. If you want background music, use your radio. I just checked my units - my TV uses 125 watts, my CD player takes 43 watts, and my clock radio only needs 6 watts. And we all know from kindergarten to turn off lights in rooms that are not being used, right?
2. Buy fruits and veggies in season and preferably from local sources. Consider how much fuel is being used to ship something halfway across the world compared to another item that comes from upstate. The same reasoning applies to your alcohol: try a local micro-brewery or winery.
3. Ask the grocery cashier to pack your bags full. Your cupboards and closets are full enough with old shopping bags you can't use up fast enough anyway. Certain larger objects don't need to be packaged at all. When you're ready to take the next step, bring your own reusable bags to the store.
4. Vintage is cool and you probably shop at those stores anyway, but why not take it to the next level in pre-worn fabulous fashion? Organize a closet swap with your friends - Cosmos, fancy cheese and fruit, great music, and all the stuff from your closet that you don't mind parting with! At the end of the night, anything that goes unclaimed can be donated.
5. Go paperless where possible. Many major utilities, credit cards, and other bills in the U.S. and Canada offer e-billing, and most banks will pull those e-bills directly onto your web banking so everything is in the same place and easy to pay from your accounts. In some areas, you can also cancel flyer delivery for all those discount furniture outlets and dollar stores you wouldn't be caught dead shopping at anyway.
6. Make sure every laundry or dishwasher load is filled to capacity. Use warm or cold water if possible and choose the "eco" setting on your machine if it's available. Not only will you help the environment with less waste, it'll save you money in the long run!
7. Maintain your vehicle properly. Check your tires regularly and make sure you get tune-ups and oil/filter changes on schedule. It will increase your mileage and avoid major repairs before their time. If it's time to buy a different car, seriously consider a hybrid or an efficient gas model. You want to aim for an average consumption of 30 miles/gallon (US) or 8 Litres/100km, and with fuel prices only on the rise you will quickly recoup the extra purchase cost. If you are a ZipCar member or often need to rent, ask your provider if they have hybrids available.
8. Reduce your heating and air conditioning costs using your windows. Put up some light-colored sheers over sun-facing windows; on hot days leave the curtains closed so they reflect the sun's radiation but still allow plenty of diffused light into your space. Open your windows overnight to let the day's heat out and the cool night air in. On cold days, draw your curtains back and let the full force of the sun warm up your rooms.
9. Insulate your hot water tank with a special blanket (this one from Lowe's (US) for under $20 or this one from Home Depot (Canada)) and lower the temperature to 120F (50C) or the eco setting recommended by the manufacturer. Every 10-degree (F) drop saves 3-5% in energy costs and reduces the amount of build-up in your tank, which also prolongs the life of your unit. When you go on vacation, drop the temperature to the minimum setting to save even more energy.
10. Get an energy audit. Many utility companies offer free audits and many local (some national) governments have rebates or tax deduction incentives if you choose to upgrade your appliances or renovate to improve efficiency. Depending on the work you have done, it could increase the value of your home too.
Got an energy and money saving tip to share? Add your wisdom in the comments!
The thing is, for you a more eco-friendly lifestyle seems very inconvenient. Public transportation? Nasty! Composting kitchen scraps? Too much work. Go Granola? Hello - I like to shave my legs, thanks.
Well, every little bit counts. Leave the tree hugging to your more militant friends and check out these easy eco-solutions that won't hugely disrupt your life. Once you see how simple an eco-friendlier life can be, you may be ready to take the next step.
1. Turn off your electronics when they aren't being used. Screen savers do not save enough energy, so when you're finished with your computer shut it down. In the same way, don't run the TV just for background noise. If you want background music, use your radio. I just checked my units - my TV uses 125 watts, my CD player takes 43 watts, and my clock radio only needs 6 watts. And we all know from kindergarten to turn off lights in rooms that are not being used, right?
2. Buy fruits and veggies in season and preferably from local sources. Consider how much fuel is being used to ship something halfway across the world compared to another item that comes from upstate. The same reasoning applies to your alcohol: try a local micro-brewery or winery.
3. Ask the grocery cashier to pack your bags full. Your cupboards and closets are full enough with old shopping bags you can't use up fast enough anyway. Certain larger objects don't need to be packaged at all. When you're ready to take the next step, bring your own reusable bags to the store.
4. Vintage is cool and you probably shop at those stores anyway, but why not take it to the next level in pre-worn fabulous fashion? Organize a closet swap with your friends - Cosmos, fancy cheese and fruit, great music, and all the stuff from your closet that you don't mind parting with! At the end of the night, anything that goes unclaimed can be donated.
5. Go paperless where possible. Many major utilities, credit cards, and other bills in the U.S. and Canada offer e-billing, and most banks will pull those e-bills directly onto your web banking so everything is in the same place and easy to pay from your accounts. In some areas, you can also cancel flyer delivery for all those discount furniture outlets and dollar stores you wouldn't be caught dead shopping at anyway.
6. Make sure every laundry or dishwasher load is filled to capacity. Use warm or cold water if possible and choose the "eco" setting on your machine if it's available. Not only will you help the environment with less waste, it'll save you money in the long run!
7. Maintain your vehicle properly. Check your tires regularly and make sure you get tune-ups and oil/filter changes on schedule. It will increase your mileage and avoid major repairs before their time. If it's time to buy a different car, seriously consider a hybrid or an efficient gas model. You want to aim for an average consumption of 30 miles/gallon (US) or 8 Litres/100km, and with fuel prices only on the rise you will quickly recoup the extra purchase cost. If you are a ZipCar member or often need to rent, ask your provider if they have hybrids available.
8. Reduce your heating and air conditioning costs using your windows. Put up some light-colored sheers over sun-facing windows; on hot days leave the curtains closed so they reflect the sun's radiation but still allow plenty of diffused light into your space. Open your windows overnight to let the day's heat out and the cool night air in. On cold days, draw your curtains back and let the full force of the sun warm up your rooms.
9. Insulate your hot water tank with a special blanket (this one from Lowe's (US) for under $20 or this one from Home Depot (Canada)) and lower the temperature to 120F (50C) or the eco setting recommended by the manufacturer. Every 10-degree (F) drop saves 3-5% in energy costs and reduces the amount of build-up in your tank, which also prolongs the life of your unit. When you go on vacation, drop the temperature to the minimum setting to save even more energy.
10. Get an energy audit. Many utility companies offer free audits and many local (some national) governments have rebates or tax deduction incentives if you choose to upgrade your appliances or renovate to improve efficiency. Depending on the work you have done, it could increase the value of your home too.
Got an energy and money saving tip to share? Add your wisdom in the comments!
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