Guide to Living "Green"
There are a number of ways to adopt environmentally-friendly habits.
The simple but helpful tips listed below will not only benefit our planet but also save you a lot of cash.
Here's our list of the ten best ways to "go green".
Say Goodbye to Incandescent Bulbs Although Compact Florescent Light bulbs are more expensive than traditional light bulbs, they are worth every penny.
CFLs last ten times longer than regular bulbs and are over 70 percent more energy-efficient.
Using CFLs can reduce your annual energy expenses by 100 dollars! Trust a Timer Put an end to wasted electricity in your home by using a timer for your outdoor lights or your heating and cooling system.
If your system doesn't come with its own timer, you can buy an affordable one at a home improvement store.
Use Public Transportation Whenever possible, avoid driving and, instead, take a bus, carpool with friends, ride your bike, or walk to your destination.
Doing so will not only lessen carbon emissions but also lower your transportation expenses.
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances Older home appliances can cost homeowners hundreds of dollars a year in unnecessary energy expenses.
And since home appliances account for almost one-fifth of your total energy usage, it's imperative to replace energy-depleting appliances with eco-friendly ones, which cost much less to operate.
Tightly Seal your Home to Maximize Energy-Efficiency Another effective way to live "green" is by making sure your insulation is up to code.
Particularly if you live in an older home, you may fall victim to unwanted air loss through cracks along windows and doors.
Cover your Hot Water Heater If your home or office has a hot water heater, check to make sure it is not wasting electricity.
If your water heater is hot to the touch, that means it's losing heat and costing you money.
To lessen standby heat loss, simply wrap your tank with extra insulation.
Use Less Water Did you know that the typical Connecticut home wastes over 10,000 gallons of water a year? Fortunately, there are multiple ways for Connecticut residents to conserve water.
Install a water-saving shower head, an EnergyStar-qualified washer, or an updated dishwasher.
When washing clothes, you can "go green" by washing only in cold water and always washing full loads.
Unplug Unused Appliances One of the easiest ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in your home is to unplug unused appliances and electronics.
Doing so can reduce your energy bill by five percent.
Use Fans in the Summertime Although we all want to be comfortable in our home, one of the best ways to "go green" is by adjusting your thermostat.
Raising the temperature just two degrees in the summer and decreasing it in the winter is an eco-friendly way to save hundreds of dollars a year.
If you get hot during warmer months, simply use a fan to stay cool.
Purchase Recycled Printer Cartridges We all know the many benefits of recycling.
But it's not enough to recycle only plastics and aluminum.
You can also recycle your printer's used ink cartridges.
Plus, you can purchase remanufactured printer cartridges for 60 percent less than retail prices.
In this way, you can both save money and help the environment!
The simple but helpful tips listed below will not only benefit our planet but also save you a lot of cash.
Here's our list of the ten best ways to "go green".
Say Goodbye to Incandescent Bulbs Although Compact Florescent Light bulbs are more expensive than traditional light bulbs, they are worth every penny.
CFLs last ten times longer than regular bulbs and are over 70 percent more energy-efficient.
Using CFLs can reduce your annual energy expenses by 100 dollars! Trust a Timer Put an end to wasted electricity in your home by using a timer for your outdoor lights or your heating and cooling system.
If your system doesn't come with its own timer, you can buy an affordable one at a home improvement store.
Use Public Transportation Whenever possible, avoid driving and, instead, take a bus, carpool with friends, ride your bike, or walk to your destination.
Doing so will not only lessen carbon emissions but also lower your transportation expenses.
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances Older home appliances can cost homeowners hundreds of dollars a year in unnecessary energy expenses.
And since home appliances account for almost one-fifth of your total energy usage, it's imperative to replace energy-depleting appliances with eco-friendly ones, which cost much less to operate.
Tightly Seal your Home to Maximize Energy-Efficiency Another effective way to live "green" is by making sure your insulation is up to code.
Particularly if you live in an older home, you may fall victim to unwanted air loss through cracks along windows and doors.
Cover your Hot Water Heater If your home or office has a hot water heater, check to make sure it is not wasting electricity.
If your water heater is hot to the touch, that means it's losing heat and costing you money.
To lessen standby heat loss, simply wrap your tank with extra insulation.
Use Less Water Did you know that the typical Connecticut home wastes over 10,000 gallons of water a year? Fortunately, there are multiple ways for Connecticut residents to conserve water.
Install a water-saving shower head, an EnergyStar-qualified washer, or an updated dishwasher.
When washing clothes, you can "go green" by washing only in cold water and always washing full loads.
Unplug Unused Appliances One of the easiest ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in your home is to unplug unused appliances and electronics.
Doing so can reduce your energy bill by five percent.
Use Fans in the Summertime Although we all want to be comfortable in our home, one of the best ways to "go green" is by adjusting your thermostat.
Raising the temperature just two degrees in the summer and decreasing it in the winter is an eco-friendly way to save hundreds of dollars a year.
If you get hot during warmer months, simply use a fan to stay cool.
Purchase Recycled Printer Cartridges We all know the many benefits of recycling.
But it's not enough to recycle only plastics and aluminum.
You can also recycle your printer's used ink cartridges.
Plus, you can purchase remanufactured printer cartridges for 60 percent less than retail prices.
In this way, you can both save money and help the environment!
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