Small Ways You Can Start Living More Green

Aug 15, 2012 by artsy99

You can save a lot of energy simply by investing in a tube of caulk and walking around the interior and exterior of your home, sealing any visible cracks or holes. Windy days are the best time to seek out less visible leaks, as you are more likely to hear or feel them.

Take the time to dry your clothes naturally. The dryer in your home takes up a lot of energy and it is quite simple to just hang your clothes and allow them to air dry. If you do need to use the dryer, then be sure to clean out the lint to help it work more efficiently.

Think small. If you are unable to use alternative energy for your entire house, start with just one room. You can use alternative energy sources in one room and when you are ready, install it in another room. This way you are not overwhelmed with the expense of making over your house to use alternative energy.

Do not leave your freezer and refrigerator open for a long period of time. Of course this can spoil your food, but it can also use large amounts of energy. When you are cooking but you need food from the refrigerator or freezer, keep it closed after you get something out of it.

To help you reduce your carbon footprint and also save plenty of money on gas for your car, consider investigating the benefits of the electric car. Electric vehicles can be enjoyable to drive and are typically environmentally friendly. Most are quite expensive right now, but are becoming more affordable as technology improves.

Develop the habit of shutting off your computer before you leave your home for several hours and before you go to sleep each day to make your home a greener one. Also, set your computer’s sleep mode to activate when it is idle for five minutes. If you faithfully practice these two simple acts on a daily basis, you can decrease the energy usage of your computer by 85%.

An easy way to make your home greener is to replace your old light fixtures with ones, which are ENERGY STAR qualified. If you are unable to install ENERGY STAR qualified lighting fixtures at the moment, at least replace your standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) which use much less energy.

Consider investing in an electric kettle as a means of saving energy. Electric kettles use less energy to boil your water than stove-top kettles, and not only can they be used to make tea, but you can also use them to boil water for smaller meals you plan to cook.

Make sure that your home is completely sealed from all drafts, if you want to live green and use the principals of green energy. Windows and doors are your biggest culprits for letting hot and cold air out of your home. So, seal them up and start saving money.

As you ready yourself to make the switch to green energy, try getting a step ahead of the game by decreasing your present energy needs. By using less energy, it will be that much easier to switch to alternative sources because you won’t be using as much. Good ways to start include using less light in your home, shortening hot showers and using cool instead of hot water for laundry.

These ideas have been used by many people to create a healthier environment for themselves. By following the tips in this article, you can do the same. You will save money in the long run, and help the planet at the same time. Make the choice for yourself, as well as, future generations.

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