Apply these eco-living tips on your home or workplace to save money and save mother earth!
Sun Shade
Keep the sun from increasing your electric bills. If your windows are oriented to the West, tint your windows or install blinds, or put trellis with vines to filter the sweltering heat. Better yet, plant trees along the west side of your house to reduce your air-conditioning bills.
Shower and Save
Find low-flow showerheads to replace your current ones. Less water used means less energy needed to heat, thus saving 350lbs. of Carbon Dioxide yearly. Time your showers well, limiting to 5 minutes or less and see the big impact on your water bills.
Window Energy
Cardinal directions are most important in configuring windows for better day lighting. South facing windows are best to catch sunlight and regulate temperatures when properly shaded. North facing windows are also good as they absorb natural light while producing little glare. Avoid East and West-facing windows since they might cause glare and admit a lot of unwanted heat during the summer. These are musts especially for new homeowners.
Colors Make a Difference
Lighter shades cool your home when in a warm climate; while darker shades are more suited for colder environments. Don’t forget to use non-toxic paint.
Saving Water
Low-flow or dual-flush water closets save hundreds of gallons of water a year. Why use an entire gallon when you only need half?
Standby doesn't mean no Power
Gadgets and chargers left plugged still consume a sizeable amount of power yearly. The best way is to unplug but if you just can't help it, use power-surge protector strips and turn off the strip's power.
Calculate your Emissions
Visit http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator to help you determine your carbon dioxide emissions. Results can be tracked over durations of time to better help you think of ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
Squeeze That Leak
Almost 14% of household water is unnecessarily caused by leaks. Imagine running a toilet that wastes almost 3 gallons per minute! Find out by mixing food coloring to the tank without flushing it. If it seeps into the bowl, there's a leak to be squeezed!
Paper Power
When buying paper, look for the recycled product market. Purchase those that have been made with at least 50% post-consumer waste and those that weren't produced with chlorine to bleach the paper.
Go Local!
Native plants in your landscape will greatly cut down on watering requirements. In addition, give a home and nourishment to local wildlife.
Seize The Night
Water plants at night to avoid rapid evaporation.
Full Load and Never Less
Use your dishwasher at maximum capacity and save at least 100lbs. of Carbon Dioxide yearly.
Filter Your Air
AC filters must be cleaned as often as recommended to save at least 300lbs. of Carbon Dioxide.
Sleep Mode
If you cannot shut down your computer, conserve substantial energy by putting it on "SLEEP MODE" rather than using a screensaver.
Orientation
Houses configured with a North-South orientation allow passive cooling to pass through the house for better indoor temperatures. On the other hand, putting retractable vents by the ceiling allow hot air to move away from the house.
Isn't it Ironic?
An average household consumes more water by hand-washing clothes and dishes. It is better to use washing machines and dishwashers.
Seal That Duct
Maximize your fan and air-conditioner's cooling potential by making sure ducts are fully closed. Try using rubber sealers for gaps between floors and doors.
Keep The Air Cooling
Use insulation for your ceilings and walls for air to circulate and thus avoiding heat traps.
Use Cold Water
Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-washed clothes goes to heating the water.
Mind Those Bulbs!
Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or LEDs when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
Work From Home
Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.
Purify Water
Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, it generates large amounts of container waste.
Make Saving Automatic!
Set your thermostat fan switch to "auto" to save energy. Leaving it in the "on" position keeps air running constantly.
Close unused air vents.
If you have central AC in your office or home, you can close air vent in rooms you're not using so you're not paying to cool them.
Cool Off for Less!
Ceiling fans use no more electricity than a standard light bulb. However, be sure to turn fans off when you leave — they only cool people, not rooms.
Decorate for a cooler home
By hanging light-colored curtains that allow light to enter a room while blocking some of the sun’s rays, and light-colored paint to reflect heat.
Time’s Up!
Consider using timers to turn lights on in the morning and off during the day.
Use Sensors
Use motion-detector lights for all your outdoor lighting – they’re convenient and efficient.
Halogen is Out
Replace halogen light bulbs, which can get hot enough to be a fire hazard, with CFLs and LEDs– they use less energy and don’t get as hot.
Use Microwaves
Use microwaves and toaster ovens to cook or warm leftovers. You’ll use less energy than cooking with a conventional oven.
Ideal Fridge Temperature
Set your refrigerator temperature between -1°C and 5°C. Use the power-save switch if you have one.
Load It Up!
Keep your freezer full. It uses less energy than an empty one. For maximum savings, consider filling your freezer with gallon containers of water.
Wash and Dry
Wash and dry several loads at once so that the dryer won’t completely cool down before it heats up for the next load.
Sort Your Fabrics.
Separate wash loads into light and heavy fabrics for the shortest drying times. Or better yet – air-dry your lightest fabrics.
BBQ Outdoors
Grill out more often during the summer. Using the oven in the heat of summer forces your AC to work harder, which raises your energy bill.
Look Up!
Reduce the strain on your AC by applying reflective coating on your roof. This will help you save by decreasing the amount of heat coming into your home.
Avoid Vampire Loads
Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use. Many chargers draw power continuously, even when the device is not plugged into the charger.
Get A Laptop
Consider a laptop next time you're looking to buy a computer – they use less energy than desktop computers.
