GREEN Living Ideas
Being Green does not have to be difficult! To help you get started with
your new GREEN lifestyle here is a list of simple solutions designed to
save energy and reduce carbon emissions for the planet, and at the same
time save you money.
Turn Down the Heat
Each degree you turn down the heat saves 3 percent of heating costs,
while each degree you raise the temperature of your air conditioner saves
3-4 percent of cooling costs. By changing the temperature by 2 degrees
all year, you can save about 2,000 pounds of C02 a year.
Discover New Ways of Cooking
Cook with a slow cooker or a toaster oven (or even a solar oven!) to
reduce electrical use from kitchen appliances. For a meal that requires
one hour to cook in an electric oven, and which uses 2.7 pounds of C02,
a Crockpot uses 0.9 pounds of C02 for seven hours, a toaster oven takes
1.3 pounds of C02 for 50 minutes, and a microwave only 0.5 pounds of C02
for 15 minutes of cooking. A solar cooker requires NO C02!
Change Your Computer
Switch to a laptop instead of using a desktop computer and cut three-quarters
off your electrical use. Turn off the laptop at the end of the day.
Wash and Dry Differently
Switch to cold water washing and save 80 percent on energy used for
laundry and save an estimated $60 a year. Hang dry your clothes instead
of using the dryer and save 700 pounds of C02 a year.
Use a Power Strip
Plug anything that can be powered by a remote control or that has a
power cube transformer (little black box) into a power strip, and turn
it off, and/or unplug, when not in use. (Power cubes are 60-80 percent
inefficient.)
The Oldest Trick in the Book
Turn off the lights when you aren't using them and reduce your direct
lighting energy use by 45 percent. Stop using heat-producing halogen lamps
(they can also be fire hazards). Install occupancy or motion sensors on
outdoor lights.
Replace Your Bulbs
Switch to compact fluorescent from regular incandescent bulbs and use
60 percent less energy per bulb and save 300 pounds of C02 a year.
Give Your Water Heater a Break
Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket and save 1,000 pounds
of C02 a year. Insulate your hot water pipes.
Drive Less
Use public transportation whenever possible, carpool, shop locally,
and ideally switch to a hybrid or energy-efficient car (if you haven't
already).
Maintain Your Tires
Keep your tires inflated to improve gas mileage by 3 percent. Every
gallon you save also saves 20 pounds of C02 emissions
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