Turn off the lights. Unplug the electronics. Recycle.
These are all brilliant ways to easily save the environment (and some money) and join the world’s push to “go green,” but have you thought about ways to make your home more eco-friendly? We’re not talking about buying reusable bottles or starting a compost pile. We’re talking about reducing our carbon footprint with some home methods you might not have thought about. Here are some of Warner Service’s favorite tips on how to go green year-round:
Go forward. Install a front-loading dishwasher instead of a top-loading dishwasher. They use less than half of the water when run with a full load, which you should do every chance you get to save some money and the Earth. Use organic products with your dishes, too. This discourages the use of pesticides and other environmentally harmful chemicals.
Bonus: “Concentrated” and “ultra” cleaning products also use 50 to 60 percent less packaging.
Tap out. Turn off the faucet while you’re brushing your teeth or washing your face, and shorten your showers. If you still do the dishes by hand, fill the sink with water instead of leaving a running stream. Leaving the water on for 2 minutes can waste up 5 gallons of water of a day, and increase your bills.
Switch it up. Instead of using regular light bulbs, switch to Energy Star-rated compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) light bulbs. They use 75 percent less energy and last ten times longer, which saves you money. For each bulb’s lifetime, you’ll save an estimated $30 on your energy bill. Want to save another $30? Install light dimmers in at least 5 rooms.
Plant smart. Believe it or not, planting trees to shade your outdoor air conditioning unit can save up to about $250 per year on your bills, especially if the trees end up facing the south and west sides of your home. This also helps the planet because trees help circulate clean air by decreasing carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in the air.
Warm the water heater. Wrapping an insulation blanket around your water heater can lower its running cost, and it uses less energy. It’s a win-win for you and Mother Nature.
Circulate good and proper air. Install a programmable thermostat and preset it to heat or cool the air in your home. This can save you an estimated $250 yearly. If you want to cool your house naturally, just open some windows to release indoor toxins or operate fans on a low setting to feel the breeze.
Dry right. Traditional dry cleaning services tend to create an industrial solvent called perchloroethylene, or perc, which is harmful to humans and creates smog. Skip the traditional clothes cleaning service and install an eco-friendly, high efficiency (HE) washing machine, which uses 35 percent less energy and water. Bonus if it loads from the front.
You can buy reusable water bottles, but don’t forget to wash them with a full load in your front-loading dishwasher. You should also turn of the lights, but when you do, exchange your traditional bulbs for energy-efficient CFLs. Living a greener lifestyle also increases your home’s value because it is more durable, adaptable and sustainable. If you need help saving the environment, or just installing a dishwasher or maintaining your water heater, contact Warner Service today.