9 Ways To Green Your Home

Everyone is talking about being green these days. One of the most important places for people to embrace the green movement is in their own homes. The following are some simple ways to make your home more environmentally friendly. First, replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Not only do compact fluorescent bulbs last longer than incandescent bulbs, but they use far less electricity.

Second, program your thermostat. If you don't have a programmable thermostat, get one. In the winter, lower your thermostat when you are sleeping or are not home to be around sixty-two degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, set your thermostat to about seventy-eight degrees Fahrenheit when you are out of your house or asleep. This will save an incredible amount of energy and save you money on your heating and cooling costs.

Third, when you purchase new appliances, buy ones that are labeled as being ENERGY STAR compliant. These appliances use far less electricity to operate than non-compliant ones. Also, only run appliances when you need to. For instance, only run dishwashers when they are full.

This brings us to our fourth tip. In most cases, washing your clothes in warm or cold water, especially with a detergent designed for cold water washes, is just as effective as washing them in hot water. Simply washing with warm water uses about half the energy as washing in hot water. Clean your lint filter after each time that you run your dryer. Make sure that your dryer vent does not become blocked with lint or other debris. Not only does a clogged dryer vent reduce energy efficiency but it also presents a fire hazard.

The fifth thing you can do is to unplug any electronics while they are not in use. Believe it or not, electronics use electricity even when they are plugged in even if they are not turned off. Unplug computers, televisions, phone chargers and any other gadgets when they are not in use and you will save an amazing amount of electricity. Also turn off lights when you leave a room.

Sixth, save water. Don't leave the water running while you brush your teeth. Install aerators on your faucets to reduce the amount of water that is used while retaining water pressure. If you are in need of a new toilet, consider purchasing a low-flow model that uses less water than standard models.

The seventh tip is to use non-toxic or natural cleaning products. Often natural cleaners do just as good a job as their chemical-infused counterparts.

Eighth, consider composting. Composting is an easy way to keep plant material out of landfills while providing you with rich, all-natural fertilizer for your plants or garden. You can compost outside or try one of the counter-top compost pails that are now available. Finally, lower the temperature of your hot water heater. By lowering it even ten degrees, you will dramatically reduce your energy usage and you probably won't even notice the difference with your hot water. By following these tips you can make a positive impact on the environment and save yourself money at the same time.