Earth Day is celebrated April 22 and this year marks the forty-fifth anniversary of its inception. While it’s great to take time out of your day to do something to better the environment for yourself and your community, it’s also a necessary cause to practice year round. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best and easiest ways to go green in your home and many of these tips will help save you money as well.
- Adjust your thermostat. Most homes are equipped with programmable thermostats. If your home doesn’t have one, it’s an inexpensive and easy replacement that will make a huge difference in not only the energy that you consume but also in your monthly utility bills. Experts recommend setting thermostat at 55 during times you are out of the home and while sleeping.
- Pay electronically. Most companies offer an option to receive and pay your bills online thus reducing the demand for paper.
- Stop leaks. If you have faucets or pipes with leaks you’re wasting valuable water, especially in drought prone areas. Leaking water can also cause damage to your property if it’s left untreated.
- Cover your pool. When your pool is not in use it’s best to cover it to reduce the amount of water that evaporates. It will also keep the water cleaner, reducing the need to constantly run the filter, and keep the water at a comfortable temperature.
- Garden and compost. Grow fruits and vegetables in your backyard will reduce the amount of gas you use to drive to the store, the emissions your car puts out, and the produce will be pesticide free. You can also compost much of your garbage and use the compost in your garden.
- Stock up. Keeping your refrigerator and freezer full will run more efficiently since the food acts as insulation.
- Switch out your appliances. When you’re ready to purchase new appliances, choose a model that is marked with the Energy Star label. It will cost you slightly more upfront but will save you in the long run. As an added bonus: new appliances are a nice perk when selling your home.
- Reuse. Stop purchasing a cup of coffee every day. Fill up a reusable coffee cup or travel mug at home and save the paper cups from the landfill. The same can be applied to switching out reusable water bottles. When you go shopping bring reusable bags with you. Many retailers offer them for as low as a dollar a piece and some stores even give you a small discount on your bill when using them. You can also swap out paper napkins and towels for cloth; buy white ones and wash them with the rest of your whites.
- Invest in elbow grease. Ditch your gas or electric powered landscaping tools for manual ones.
- Power down. At the end of the day, turn off and unplug any appliance that isn’t in use.