Tips For Reducing Energy Consumption

When it comes to green living, reducing the amount of energy you use is one of the easiest and most effective things you can do. While electricity itself is not unfriendly to the environment, the production of it is as most of the facilities we use to generate electricity are powered by fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are not renewable and the output from these facilities produces carbon which leads to global warming.

Luckily, there are several things you can do to reduce your energy consumption and the bonus is that youll also save money on your utility bill!

1.If youre not using it, then unplug it. Many electronic devices today have LEDs that draw energy even if the device is not powered on. Your VCR, Coffee Maker and even your electric toothbrush all use a little bit of energy when plugged in. Those little bits can quickly add up, so when your appliances are not in use, try to get into the habit of unplugging them.

2.Shut down your computer. While its nice to have your computer always ready for use, it also uses a lot of electricity. When you go to bed at night, power off the computer, monitor and printer.

3.Get a programmable thermostat. Getting an automatic thermostat can be a great way to reduce your heating costs, be it from oil, gas or electricity. With a programmable thermostat you can set it to the optimum temperatures and then forget about it. Set it to 68 degrees Fahrenheit for daytime use when people will be home and 55 degrees Fahrenheit when you are sleeping or at work.

4.Make your water heat more efficient. Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and get an insulated sleeve for it to insure it is working as efficiently as possible.

5.Use your lighting wisely. Switch to more energy efficient lighting like LED lights or compact fluorescent lights and be sure that you dont leave lights on overnight or when no one is in the room.

6.Energy efficient laundry. Even doing laundry can be an opportunity to save on energy. Make sure you always clean the lint basket after each load and be sure to set the appropriate water level in your washer. Doing these will help your washer and dryer run more efficiently.

7.Set the right temps in your fridge. Your refrigerator should be set to around 40 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit for most efficient use. Also, make sure you clean out all the dust bunnies behind and underneath the fridge.

8.Dont run the dishwasher until it is full. Make sure there is a full load in the dishwasher before you run it and use the energy saving cycle.

9.Buy energy efficient appliance. Using energy efficient appliances can help reduce energy usage as well as your electric bill so the next time you are in the market for a new appliance, make sure you look at the energy star rating and buy the most efficient model you can afford.

Tips For Greener Driving

Everyone knows that cars cause a lot of pollution and with gas getting more expensive, adding some green to your driving can help keep the green in your wallet as well as benefit the environment. Here are some tips for greener driving that you can easily implement into your daily life:

1.Drive A Gas Efficient Vehicle it stands to reason that the more efficient your car is on gas, the less emissions and the less you have to pay at the pump. Today, there are many options in hybrid vehicles so if you are in the market for a new car, make the gas efficiency one of your main concerns.

2.Tire Pressure make sure your tires are neither overinflated or underinflated as both of these can affect your fuel efficiency. Make sure to check the tire pressure regularly and adjust as needed.

3.Car Maintenance needless to say, if your car is not maintained properly, it will not be running at peak performance. Be sure to have the oil changed as recommended as well as the other suggested maintenance. Making sure your engine is running efficiently can improve your gas mileage up to 40%. It might cost a bit to have these things done, but you will save money with better fuel efficiency and a longer lasting car.
4.Air Conditioning You want to use your AC sparingly, but its actually more efficient to use air conditioning than it is to roll the windows down. So, if you must cool off, be sure to set the AC on low and turn it off when the car is cooled make sure you have the windows tightly rolled up so none of that cool air can get out.

5.Heated Seats heated seats use a lot of energy so the next time you want your tushy all warm and comfy, think about the impact to your gas bill and the environment.

6.Drive Consistently try to drive at a consistent speed, or better yet, use the cruise control. Keeping your speed consistent will improve your gas mileage and lessen your CO2 impact. Also, try to keep it under 60 MPH as anything over that really decreases your gas mileage.

7.Commute Consider commuting with co-workers or, if your company allows it, working from home. Even if you do these just a couple of days a week, you will be doing a lot to lower carbon emissions and youll be saving a bundle on gas too!

Keeping your car in good condition and being aware of some of these fuel efficiency tips isnt that difficult and it makes good sense especially when it comes to the longevity of your car. Your efforts will be rewarded with a fuller wallet and a healthier environment!

Save Some Green While Going Green

What could be better than helping out the environment? Why, saving some money while you are helping out the environment, of course!

Of course, most everyone wants to lower their carbon footprint and help the environment be healthier but if you can save money doing it, then you have the best of both worlds. Luckily, there are many ways to go green and save some green at the same time. Here are 5 things you can do that will help boost your bank account and the environment:

1.Buy Second Hand most people dont think of buying second hand stuff as being environmentally consciences but when you buy something second hand it helps to keep that item from ending up in a landfill. Not only that but buying second hand can save you a bundle! Plus buying something used doesnt mean you have to settle for something that is broken or damaged there are plenty of brand new items waiting for you to pick them up. Great places to shop for second hand goods include eBay, Craigslist, yard sales, flea markets and Consignment stores.

2.Energy Efficient Lighting Swapping your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting might cost a bit at first, but it can save you a bundle in the long run in energy costs. In fact, fluorescent lights use 1/3 the energy that incandescent do and, since lighting is typically one of the largest energy uses in any home, this could save you 25% or more on your bill. Not only that but compact fluorescent lights last 10 times longer so you wont have to buy them nearly as often. Want even more savings? Then seek out the new LED lighting they are more efficient and the lighting itself is much better then the fluorescents.

3.Save On Paper Towels If youre anything like me, you probably use a ton of paper towels in the kitchen. Theyre great for wiping up spills, drying off your hands and putting food on but what do you think happens with them once you are don? Right they end up in the landfill! You can reduce your costs for paper towels and lighten the load on the landfills by using cloth kitchen towels instead. Invest in a bunch of them and make sure they are handing for wiping up. Youll be amazed at how few paper towels you really need!

4.Eat More Veggies Unless youve been living under a rock, you know that eating more fruits and vegetables and less meat is better for your health, but did you realize that its also better for the environment? Yes, its true, raising cattle takes a huge toll on the environment. Plus beef costs more than vegetables so why not help your health and the environment by replacing a few of your meaty meals with vegetarian choices?

5.Conserve Water There are many options in faucets today that will help you conserve water which, of course help the environment and saves you on your water bill. You can get low flow facets and smart faucets that will automatically shut off after a certain amount of time or sense when something is under it turn the water on and then sense when nothing is under it and turn the water off.