No Cost Green Money Saving Home Tips
In today's world, we are all looking for ways to save ourselves some money. In order to save every penny we can, we must take into consideration all tips to help us save all the energy, and thus money, that we can. Below are some great Green tips that will not only help you save the environment, but will ultimately help you save some money in the long run. All they require is a minor change of habit. Experts say it takes approximately 3 weeks to change a habit, so as long as you are disciplined, you can go green for FREE and save yourself some green in the process!!
- Be sure to clean the lint trap every time you dry a load of clothes (I am guilty not doing this at times!). A clean air vent and lint trap improves air circulation, therefore you dryer doesn't have to work as hard (and will last longer in the long run).
- Use human-powered appliances to save electricity. Hang your clothes on a clothesline in warmer weather, use a manual can opener instead of an electric one, mix batters, dough, ect. with a spatula instead of an electric mixer. The list is endless...your grandmothers did it by hand, and so can you!
- On sunny days in the winter, open your south-facing curtains on your windows. This will let any heat to be absorbed into your house. Be sure to shut the curtains at night!
- You can save by washing your clothes exclusively in cold water. It costs $40 per year to wash clothing in hot water, so by switching to cold water, you are doing your pocketbook and the environment a favor! If you are worried about not being able to get stains out of clothing, several name brand manufacturers make a cold water laundry detergent.
- Is your refrigerator located next to a vent, or close to the stove?? If so, consider relocating it to another part of the kitchen. Your refrigerator has to work harder because of the heat produced by your oven/furnace, and you can also extend the life of your fridge!
- If you do not turn your computer off at the end of the day, be sure that it goes into an automatic sleep mode. Why leave a computer on constantly if you are not using it?
- If you have window A/C's in your house, make sure it is covered in the winter with a good covering. Reuse ones from previous years, or if they are too tattered, you can construct one out of a tarp and use a bungee cord to secure it.
- Do you have dead batteries from cars, power tools, or cell phones lying around? Take them to your local recycling center, or if they don't take them, most chain auto parts stores will either take them, or know where you can dispose of them.
- To find out the emissions on your car, go online and use the EPA's Calculator to determine how many greenhouse gasses your car emits. It will take about 10 minutes and also give you an action plan on how to Green your car!
- When the area's Farmer's Markets open for the year, take advantage of them. They make way less of a carbon footprint than produce in your local supermarket. Plus, you know who grows your produce, and thus help your local economy!
