Due to environmental concerns, many wonder how they can live greener at home. As people learn ways of conserving and recycling, they are amazed to discover how easy it is to go green. Not only does a green home support a better environment, but it can also be cost-effective. With a few adjustments, everyone can enjoy the benefits of green living.
A good portion of a home's costly energy consumption relates to cooling and heating. Setting a home's thermostat to below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) in the winter and at 25 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer will save money on energy bills and conserve energy at the same time.
Also, by creating shade at windows at the east and west ends of a home, indoor temperature can be kept several degrees cooler as the morning and afternoon sun passes. Preparing meals before the air heats up or after it cools will also keep heat from becoming trapped inside of the home and reduce reliance on air conditioning. Ceiling fans also help circulate air and delay it from becoming too hot.
Another way you can go green is to watch your own consumption. Reduce or your use of or avoid using polyethylene plastic bags, such as those offered at grocery stores. These bags are made with petroleum, which is a fossil fuel. In addition, 100 billion of these plastic bags are thrown away every year, so that their disposal presents a hazard to the environment. Instead of using plastic bags, invest a few dollars in some reusable cloth grocery bags. This will greatly reduce the amount of plastic bags that are wasted every year, which will positively impact global warming.
Plastic water bottles, too, are produced using petroleum, and they negatively impact the environment because they stay in landfills for many, many years and don't biodegrade. Instead of using plastic bottles, buy every member of your family reusable water bottles that can be filled from your tap at home. (If you find your tap water "undrinkable," it's very economical and environmentally sensible to filter your water at home if you must do so.) This will save you both time and money, because you won't have to go to the grocery store to keep buying water over and over again; it's simply available for you whenever you need it.
To reduce fuel costs and rising carbon emissions, public transportation or carpooling is ideal for daily travel. With fewer cars on the road, not only will the air be cleaner, but also the cost of public transportation by train, bus or carpooling can save consumers hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. As the demand for fuel decreases, retail prices for fuel does also. For neighborhood errands, walking or riding a bicycle is another great way to cut fuel emissions and both are an effective form of exercise.
If you're about to remodel your home, bypass the hardwood flooring and instead install bamboo flooring. Bamboo flooring is environmentally friendly because it is self-replenishing and produces a high yield. The bamboo matures in six to eight years, versus the 50 to 100 years it takes the trees necessary for hardwood floors to mature. And when you install your bamboo flooring, use glues that don't contain formaldehyde, which is very toxic.
Finally, opt out of paper bills and opt in to electronic bill payments instead. Many companies even encourage this by offering discounts to customers who receive and pay their bills electronically. To further help keep paper waste products out of landfills, purchase recycled paper products and make sure they are unbleached since the bleaching process is environmentally toxic.
Some erroneously assume that going green takes a lot of thought and work, but in fact, it's pretty easy to do once you know how. If you go green, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing your part to take care of the planet -- and save some money besides. - 20763
A good portion of a home's costly energy consumption relates to cooling and heating. Setting a home's thermostat to below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) in the winter and at 25 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer will save money on energy bills and conserve energy at the same time.
Also, by creating shade at windows at the east and west ends of a home, indoor temperature can be kept several degrees cooler as the morning and afternoon sun passes. Preparing meals before the air heats up or after it cools will also keep heat from becoming trapped inside of the home and reduce reliance on air conditioning. Ceiling fans also help circulate air and delay it from becoming too hot.
Another way you can go green is to watch your own consumption. Reduce or your use of or avoid using polyethylene plastic bags, such as those offered at grocery stores. These bags are made with petroleum, which is a fossil fuel. In addition, 100 billion of these plastic bags are thrown away every year, so that their disposal presents a hazard to the environment. Instead of using plastic bags, invest a few dollars in some reusable cloth grocery bags. This will greatly reduce the amount of plastic bags that are wasted every year, which will positively impact global warming.
Plastic water bottles, too, are produced using petroleum, and they negatively impact the environment because they stay in landfills for many, many years and don't biodegrade. Instead of using plastic bottles, buy every member of your family reusable water bottles that can be filled from your tap at home. (If you find your tap water "undrinkable," it's very economical and environmentally sensible to filter your water at home if you must do so.) This will save you both time and money, because you won't have to go to the grocery store to keep buying water over and over again; it's simply available for you whenever you need it.
To reduce fuel costs and rising carbon emissions, public transportation or carpooling is ideal for daily travel. With fewer cars on the road, not only will the air be cleaner, but also the cost of public transportation by train, bus or carpooling can save consumers hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. As the demand for fuel decreases, retail prices for fuel does also. For neighborhood errands, walking or riding a bicycle is another great way to cut fuel emissions and both are an effective form of exercise.
If you're about to remodel your home, bypass the hardwood flooring and instead install bamboo flooring. Bamboo flooring is environmentally friendly because it is self-replenishing and produces a high yield. The bamboo matures in six to eight years, versus the 50 to 100 years it takes the trees necessary for hardwood floors to mature. And when you install your bamboo flooring, use glues that don't contain formaldehyde, which is very toxic.
Finally, opt out of paper bills and opt in to electronic bill payments instead. Many companies even encourage this by offering discounts to customers who receive and pay their bills electronically. To further help keep paper waste products out of landfills, purchase recycled paper products and make sure they are unbleached since the bleaching process is environmentally toxic.
Some erroneously assume that going green takes a lot of thought and work, but in fact, it's pretty easy to do once you know how. If you go green, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing your part to take care of the planet -- and save some money besides. - 20763
About the Author:
About the author: Jerry Dyess specializes in the Texas Electricity segment. He has published many articles on Texas Electric prices.
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