Fill Your Fridge
Keeping your refrigerator full, but not to the point of overstuffing, will allow it to run at max capacity. To help retain cold temperatures when the fridge and freezer are less full, place glass or ceramic pitchers of water in their compartments. Like using ice in a picnic cooler, this will insulate the interior and keep it cold. Refrigerators and freezers account for about a sixth of all electricity use in a typical American home, and they use more electricity than any other single household appliance.
ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES
Along with the Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created ENERGY STAR appliances to help consumers identify energy efficient products. These products are clearly marked with a blue and white ENERGY STAR label, and range anywhere from DVD players to refrigerators. In 2006, Americans saved $14 billion on their utility bills and avoided green house gas emissions equivalent to those from $25 million cars by using ENERGY STAR appliances.
THE FACTS
Food retains cold better than air does, so a full refrigerator works less to keep cool than one that is practically empty.
Fireplaces and Bon Fires
Its hard to fine someone that doesn’t enjoy a nice fire from time to time, especially in the winter. Unfortunately, when you burn wood in your fireplace you’re emitting CO2 into the atmosphere, which is the root of the global warming problem. They also release a fair amount of soot and other particulates, which also contribute to air pollution. The worst part is, despite the cozy fire that warms you when you sit close to it, a conventional fireplace actually tends to cause your house to LOSE heat, because it sucks in room air and sends it up the chimney — air that has already been warmed by the house most likely thorough a gas heating system. So in effect the fireplace increases your heating bill and the attendant consumption of fuel by the utility supplying your heat.
GAS FIREPLACES
Natural gas fireplaces aren’t great for the environment either because you’re burning unnecessary natural gas, but they a better environmental choice than wood burning fireplaces. Natural gas fireplaces are cleaner and easier to use. Most come with an on/off switch similar to a light switch. As easy as a natural gas fireplace is for you, it’s also easier on the environment. With no smoke going up the chimney from burning wood and no ashes, lingering embers or particulates going into the air, natural gas fireplaces are the safer choice for you and the environment.
THE FACTS
When you burn wood in your fireplace, you’re emitting CO2 into the atmosphere which is the root of the global warming problem.
Run Your Dishwasher Full
The one environmental issue with dishwashers are they waste a lot of water. The easiest thing you can do to reduce the amount of water you use refrain from running your dishwasher until its completely full. Other options are Double Drawer Dishwashers and Energy Star Dishwashers.
DOUBLE DRAWER DISHWASHERS
Double-drawer dishwashers split the dishwasher in two, acting like two independent dishwashers in one. You no longer need to waste water and energy by running only half-full loads. A versatile appliance, these dishwashers can accommodate various workday and weekend loads. They’re ideal for smaller households.
ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES
Along with the Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created ENERGY STAR appliances to help consumers identify energy efficient products. These products are clearly marked with a blue and white ENERGY STAR label, and range anywhere from DVD players to dishwashers. In 2006, Americans saved $14 billion on their utility bills and avoided green house gas emissions equivalent to those from $25 million cars by using ENERGY STAR appliances.
THE FACTS
Double Drawer Dishwashers eliminate the need to waste water and energy by running only half-full loads.
Energy Star Appliances
Along with the Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created ENERGY STAR appliances to help consumers identify energy efficient products. These products are clearly marked with a blue and white ENERGY STAR label, and range anywhere from DVD players to refrigerators. In 2006, Americans saved $14 billion on their utility bills and avoided green house gas emissions equivalent to those from $25 million cars by using ENERGY STAR appliances. According to the Energy Information Agency, the nation currently relies on coal - the dirtiest of all fossil fuels - for 50% of its electricity production. Natural gas makes up about 21%, and nuclear power comprises about 20%. Hydro and oil each contribute a bit as well, while traditional renewables - wind, solar, biomass and geothermal - ring in at only 3% combined.
For example, an ENGERGY STAR washing machine costs about $150 more than a normal washing machine but you’ll save $50 a year on your energy bill. And they use about 7,000 gallons less water a year!
SMART POWER STRIPS
Phantom Load, otherwise known as idle current or standby power, is what occurs when your appliances are turned off but are still using energy. Amazingly enough, this accounts for around 10% of your monthly energy bill, while emitting more than 27 million tons of CO2 into the environment. A great way to reduce Phantom Load is to use Smart Power Strips for your appliances. Instead of running around the house at night unplugging all your appliances, attach all small appliances to a central power strip with an on/off switch that is easily accessible. Then you can turn the power strip off when you’re not using them. Be especially conscious about oversized AC plugs (cube-shaped transformers), as these draw almost half of the energy turned off as they do while on. They have been coined as “vampires” in the energy world. Smart Power Strips are also great for when you’re away at work or on vacation. They are inexpensive and available at any hardware store or supermarket.
THE FACTS
Stop Printing Everything
According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, the paper industry contributes more to global warming than any other industry worldwide. Harvesting trees for paper reduces the CO2 offset trees normally provide, pollutes our waterways, and create garbage. Paper products are thought to embody a third of all landfill space in our country. The average American office worker prints or copies 10,000 sheets of paper every year, with an average office sending 4 million tons of paper into landfills every year.
Solution? Don’t print a hard copy unless its absolutely necessary. Emailing and Scanning has given us the ability to send documents electronically reducing the need to print hard copies. Even Personal Handheld Devices have the ability to accept emails, text message, and even MapQuest directions electronically.
RECYCLED PAPER
If you have the need to print, at least do it on recycled paper. Every major office supply store now carries recycled printing paper. According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, buying 40 cases of copy paper made from 30% post consumer paper instead of paper made from virgin pulp saves more than seven trees, 2,100 gallons of water, 1,230 kilowatt hours of electricity, and 18 pounds of air pollution.
THE FACTS
Green Your Home Decor
The biggest issue with today’s furniture is that it contains PBDE, legally required flame retardants, that can cause many health problems. The best thing you can do is buy furniture made from sustainable materials, meaning materials made from reclaimed, responsibly harvested, or renewable sources. We spend over $70 billion dollars a year on new furniture, so its time to start being responsible about what we buy.
The next time you buy furniture look for furniture certified by GreenGuard, an independent certification system for furniture with low levels of toxic emissions.
THE FACTS
Americans spend over $70 billion dollars a year on new furniture.
Green Your Computer
In the last 15 years nothing has changed the way we communicate more than the computer. The information age is upon us which means we are using more electrical devices than ever before. Every computer, cell phone and iPod in the country draws electrical power. The biggest energy hog of them all is the computer. The reason is people leave their computers on constantly, even when they are not being used. According to a recent study, if every American turned off their computer and monitor every night we would avoid emitting 8 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year.
Solution? The solution is to adjust the Power Options on your computer to reduce the amount of power your computer draws when you are not using it. Your computer has the ability to adjust itself into a “low power mode” very similar to hibernation. Adjusting your Power Options can reduce the amount of energy your computer normally uses by 75%. (SEE BELOW FOR INSTRUCTIONS). The other option is to simply turn off your computer when you’re not using it.
ADJUSTING YOUR POWER OPTION SETTINGS
To adjust your Power Settings, click Start>Control Power>Power Options. Once the Power Options dialogue box appears, choose the “Power Saver” option and click OK, its that easy. Do it now!
THE FACTS
If every American turned off their computer and monitor every night we would avoid emitting 8 million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year.
Green Your Laundry
Environmentally Friendly Laundry involves the use of high efficiency washing machines, environmentally friendly detergent, and cold water. A conventional washing machines uses a lot of water for every use, most of which is wasted. Detergents are very toxic, and those toxins eventually make their way into our water supply.
HIGH EFFICIENCY WASHING MACHINES
High efficiency washing machines are usually front loading. Top-loading, vertical-axis washers are basically an automated washtub, filling with water to wet all the clothing and swishing it about in detergent. Front-loading, horizontal-axis types partially fill with water and whip the clothes through, like a mill wheel in a stream. They’re actually gentler on fabrics, quieter, and, from my experience, do use far less detergent. And yes, they can hold just as many clothes as your old machine.
DETERGENTS
Laundry detergents are very toxic and end up polluting our waterways. Conventional laundry detergent is petroleum based, which is a non renewable fossil fuel. If every household in the United States replaced just one bottle of petroleum based liquid detergent with a vegetable based product, we could save 460,000 barrels of oil, enough to heat and cool 27,000 homes for a year!
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has been a major catalyst in the green detergent revolution, the article states. Using its purchasing power as the world’s biggest retailer, Wal-Mart launched an environmental initiative last October to encourage its suppliers to manufacture more environmentally friendly laundry detergents.
COLD WATER
One mistake people make is washing their clothes in hot water when it isn’t necessary. Today washing machines and detergents do not need hot water to clean your clothes. Dark colors should always be washed in cold water, and white clothes in cold or warm. Hot water is never necessary and wastes the natural gas used to heat that water which is harmful to the environment.
THE FACTS
An older top-loading washers use about 40 gallons of water per load. New efficient, front-loading machines use 16 to 25 gallons per load.
Get Rid of Junk Mail
For me, there’s nothing more irritating than junk mail. Its like someone mails you a bunch of trash everyday so I can throw it away for them. According to Catalog Choices, 8 million trees are deforested every year to provide paper for junk mail, most of which goes unread. The average person receives 40 pounds of junk mail a year, all of which is transported via plane and truck filling our atmosphere with CO2. Whether you read them or not, at least recycle the paper!
OPT OUT OF JUNK MAIL
Fortunately there’s something you can do to rid yourself of junk mail. A great online resource is www.donotmail.org, click and follow the steps to remove yourself from mailing lists. Many catalog mailers use a database system called Abacus. Go to www.abacus-us.com and click on “Consumer Opt-Out” to take your name off those mailing lists. You can also call, 888-5OPTOUT to remove your name from other types of junk mailing lists.
THE FACTS
8 million trees are deforested every year to provide paper for junk mail, most of which goes unread.
Learn to Clean Green
Why do we “clean” our homes and offices with poisonous chemicals? Chemical cleaning toxins can cause asthma, cancer, and other lung problems. They also end up in our rivers, lakes and oceans after being washed down our sinks. Chemical cleaning supplies is an $18 billion dollar industry, with an average US household spending $600 yearly on chemical cleaning supplies. Solution? Well there are two solutions:
MAKE YOUR OWN CLEANING SUPPLIES
You can replace every cleaning supply in your home with a nontoxic, safer, and biodegradable version using household ingredients such as club soda, baking soda, salt, and vinegar all for around $20. Making your own inexpensive cleaning supplies is easy too. You can find easy to follow recipes on www.greenpeace.org/usa and www.eartheasy.com.
BUY NONTOXIC ALTERNATIVES
If chemical experimentation is not your thing, then at least buy nontoxic alternative cleaning supplies. They cost the same but are completely nontoxic and biodegradable. They are available at most grocery and hardware stores under the brand names Method, Shaklee, and Seventh Generation.
THE FACTS
You can replace every cleaning supply in your home with a nontoxic, safer, and biodegradable version using household ingredients such as club soda, baking soda, salt, and vinegar all for around $20.
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