Everywhere we turn there are signs that our society is switching gears in terms of the way that we are treating our planet. You cannot open a magazine, newspaper or turn on the TV without seeing or hearing the phrase "Going Green." So what exactly does "Going Green" mean to us as everyday citizens and how can we start to practice this new lifestyle in our everyday lives?
My first suggestion would be to start slow. Start small with everyday things like sharing rides to work, walking or riding your bike to lower how much fuel you are consuming and lower your contribution to air pollution. Change the light bulbs in your home to the smaller fluorescent bulbs. Regular light bulbs can really increase your monthly bills and the newer ones will last a lot longer. This adds up to big savings for you over time.
Another approach is to do a little maintenance around the house. Start caulking any gaps around the doors and windows and seal up any opening. This will help keep out drafts that cost you money. Another big tip is if you want to spend a little money - insulate, insulate, insulate! You will always make your money back on insulation. Having a well insulated home cuts down on those high energy cost in the wintertime. The more insulation, the less your furnace or heater will turn off and on costing you less.
One thing I hadn't thought much about before was my appliances until my washer started to go crazy. If you have older appliances, they are probably eating your lunch in energy. It's true! I couldn't believe how much difference there was just in the ten years difference since I had bought my old one. You will actually save enough on your monthly bills over time to pay for a new energy efficient appliance. So if your spouse has been complaining about that old frig or washer, surprise them and replace it for them and save some money. (hint hint honey)
Of course, one of the most obvious "Going Green" changes that most of us have been exposed to since we were young is recycling. The bonus is that many vendors and manufacturers are making it easy for us. Watch for the recycling emblem when purchasing products. Buy more than one trash can so that you can separate out your paper, metal, glass and plastic.
These are all excellent ideas that you can utilize to start your "Going Green" lifestyle. Should you decide to pursue even bigger ideas' there are many resources and a large amount of information available. You can check out the site here for further research and information If you are interested at Alternate Home Energy
My first suggestion would be to start slow. Start small with everyday things like sharing rides to work, walking or riding your bike to lower how much fuel you are consuming and lower your contribution to air pollution. Change the light bulbs in your home to the smaller fluorescent bulbs. Regular light bulbs can really increase your monthly bills and the newer ones will last a lot longer. This adds up to big savings for you over time.
Another approach is to do a little maintenance around the house. Start caulking any gaps around the doors and windows and seal up any opening. This will help keep out drafts that cost you money. Another big tip is if you want to spend a little money - insulate, insulate, insulate! You will always make your money back on insulation. Having a well insulated home cuts down on those high energy cost in the wintertime. The more insulation, the less your furnace or heater will turn off and on costing you less.
One thing I hadn't thought much about before was my appliances until my washer started to go crazy. If you have older appliances, they are probably eating your lunch in energy. It's true! I couldn't believe how much difference there was just in the ten years difference since I had bought my old one. You will actually save enough on your monthly bills over time to pay for a new energy efficient appliance. So if your spouse has been complaining about that old frig or washer, surprise them and replace it for them and save some money. (hint hint honey)
Of course, one of the most obvious "Going Green" changes that most of us have been exposed to since we were young is recycling. The bonus is that many vendors and manufacturers are making it easy for us. Watch for the recycling emblem when purchasing products. Buy more than one trash can so that you can separate out your paper, metal, glass and plastic.
These are all excellent ideas that you can utilize to start your "Going Green" lifestyle. Should you decide to pursue even bigger ideas' there are many resources and a large amount of information available. You can check out the site here for further research and information If you are interested at Alternate Home Energy
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