Benefits to Going Green in Your Own Home:

We hear the term more frequently now-a-days of "going green" but not everyone understands exactly what this is or what it entails. Some even feel it may be more costly or a process that is difficult to achieve. The intention is to break down some of the confusion into simplified steps and explain some easy things that are achievable, which I have even done in my own home.

Even though this is and can benefit on a global level, we will share here on a more personal and in home basic level, so it will make better sense. The idea, in general, behind going green is to lower over all costs one spends in running the home and also lessen the amount of waste going into the recycling process, in the environment in general, as well as creating an environment that is more sustainable and healthier overall for yourself and your family. So this will just provide a basic foundation to work with here. For those that have an in depth understanding, have patients with those that need these basics, as everyone began somewhere -and this may be it and can also be considered a nice reminder.

Let's begin now, with how to make your home more green or economy friendly.

1. One of the first simple ways I have realized to save on my bills & energy, was to shut off lights through the day or evening when not in use. It has been found that as much as about 20% of our homes energy is used just by the lights in our homes. It has been recommended to use CFL (florescent) bulbs, which uses about 75% less energy. (1) There is some debate on this, only because of the toxic level of mercury in florescent lights and is being considered to be phased out with new replacements (4), which is not a safe standard recyclable item and doing your own personal research for the use in your homes is recommended; even considering which room you use them in most. Let your usage and consciousness work as your personal guide. As well as, some individuals have health related issues concerning florescent lighting, which may need to be taken into consideration as well.

2. Next, I wash all my laundry in cold water. The detergents will wash fine in cold water and you will use much less energy by not using the water heater for the amount of water it takes to run the washer. Reports indicate it takes a washing machine up to 90% of energy just to heat the water for your laundry, so the greater cost to you and the environment. So ideally, using cold water will save your clothes, having them last longer, which again saves you even more money -which is a concept of eco-friendly when spending less on newly created items that are not out of recycled products and you are saving energy. Also note that your front load washers use much less energy than the top loading washers. (2)

3. In addition to the care of the washer, it is also frugal to keep the lint trap empty out of the dryer as well, regardless if its gas or electric. It takes more energy to keep running it, as a result of the air flow due to your items not drying as fast, and keeping it clear and running it on the correct cycle and removing your items. Better still, consider drying some items, when the weather is nice, or even in a suitable area in the home, on a clothes line, to save energy costs. There have been actual tests completed that indicate that keeping the lint trap cleaned, could save a family about $34 in energy a year. (1)

4. Another recommendation is to isolate your refrigerator if you can, from being next to any vents, dishwashers or stoves, etc, because these give off a lot of heat and the fridge already has to work hard as it is and uses more energy just for it to keep cool. So if you can do that, it will be much more beneficial in order to reap the positive savings.

5. Save your money on spending on all the various cleaning products for your home, because you really don't need them. The reality is white vinegar and water is enough as the key green cleaning product and you can add tea tree oil, peppermint oil or orange oil if you don't care for the smell of vinegar. It is safe for the environment, it is a powerful cleaning agent on soap scum, getting food and grease off dishes, sinks, counter tops, cleaning windows, it disinfects, can be used to wash fruits and vegetables, and even your toilets and floors. If you really do need something a bit stronger for a big project, you can find environmental friendly products, which are less toxic and in recyclable packaging. Another natural, eco-friendly cleaning tool is baking soda. It can be used to get tough food out of pans, use in the fridge to keep it fresh, make a paste with water to clean silver or stubborn stains in the bathroom or kitchen, used for grease spills outside, or add to a quart of water for cleaning lawn furniture.

6. Set your thermostat on a timer and then also set it a few degrees higher in the summer and a few degrees lower in the winter; as well as set it a little lower at night when you're sleeping (which you will sleep better anyway) and this will save you money on your heating and cooling costs.

7. Unplug appliances when you are not using them to save on unnecessary energy drainage. There is also an item called a "smart power strip" that senses when appliances are off, that you can purchase, which will cut or shut out the phantom or vampire energy use that can happen. (3)

8. Save with your water by taking shorter showers to reduce the water usage, which also reduces the water and heating bill. What is helpful is installing a low-flowing water-head, which doesn't cost very much and what you end up saving in your heat and water bill can pay back what you have invested in it. Do remember to clean the shower head too, periodically, as scaling and sediment can build up, which will cause more hot water to be used then necessary.

9. Another water saver is placing faucet aerators on all your faucets, as this inexpensive means will also continue to help save on water and heat bills, while keeping the water pressure high as well. Be sure to fix leaks right away, and especially with hot water, as a leak can waste almost 5 ½ gallons a day. (3)

10. Consider walking to work, bicycling and/or car pooling when you can -all of which saves on the cost of gas, wear, tear and maintenance of your vehicles and eco-friendly for the environment.

11. Growing your own garden, even if it is in small planters, in a window, on a porch, or along a fence. See more in our other article regarding benefits of organic gardening and the Permaculture process for more information and additional resources. This will save money in continual grocery bills, as well as health concerns when eating healthier foods and produce and it is eco-friendly.

12. Consider, when purchasing foods, buying more locally raised, humane and organic meats, eggs and dairy, when you can, as it will keep your funds local and economical, as well as provide you with the awareness of where your food is coming from and ensure stability and well being. Remember to implement your discount shopping days in the grocery stores, Thursdays and Sundays and comparison shopping, when you can, which saves you more money on your grocery bill.

13. Consider that if/when you buy and eat meat products, that you may consider having one meatless meal a week since the cost of meat and meat processing is the greater cost of purchase and it will allow the opportunity to increase your savings in this manner, improve your health costs and consider the environment and health related opportunity.

14. Choose to use a water filtering system in your home verses buying bottled water, as the continued purchase generates a large amount of container waste in need of recycling that can be avoided by just using a filtering system at home and you save more money with this less expense in the long run.

15. Borrow from libraries more consistently verses buying all your books and movies, which will save you money as well as the eco-friendly consumer sense that goes into ink and paper in printing books, etc.

16. Share power tools and appliances with friends, family and neighbors. Take time to share and get to know people is a good way to re-establish a sense of community, outreach and the sense of connection most desire, as well as cutting down the clutter you really don't care for in your closets, pantries or garages; which is just another means to saving more money and time. (3)

17. Create your own composting system for your garden, as well as rain water catchment to water the garden and water irrigation system. This process not only allows you an opportunity to be creative, but permits you a long term time and money saver, as well as being eco-friendly and supporting your own system for health and well being -sustainability.

18. In washing dishes you could use the energy cycle on your dishwasher or better yet, just wash your dishes by hand, as they are used, which is quicker and more cost effective. In using a dishwasher, you would only run it when it is completely full and open the door to air dry to be economical. In hand washing, be sure to limit water usage and the water flow in the sink does not have to be on high to get what you need.

19. Remember to buy energy efficient products, by checking their ratings prior to purchase. It only takes a brief amount of time to do your research, so that quality will last and save you time and money in the long run.

20. Implement solar panels where you can for energy power. If you happen to live anywhere that there is plenty of natural lighting, it is worth investigating, in order to make use of a free, carbon neutral energy so that you could install a solar hot water heating system.

21. If you have an electric hot water tank, then it is recommended to blanket it with an insulated tank blanket, which will reduce your heat loss by about 18%. This is not recommended for an oil or gas heater. You can also save, by turning the heat down a little as well; but just slightly.

22. In the winter, open the blinds, which will let the sunshine in and help warm the rooms during the day.

23. Be sure to clean and/or replace air filters on air conditioning. Not only does this improve efficiency which aids cost effectiveness, but also helps the quality of air and aids the health of those in the home, thereby supporting healthcare costs.

24. Use your fans and open windows as often as possible to create breeze, cross air in the home in place of your air conditioning which will aid in cost effectiveness.

25. The toilet tank uses approximately 3-4 gallons of water to refill and each time it is flushed. Place a freezer bag of water sealed, with the excess air let out into the bottom of the tank, out of the way of the pump, so there is a save in excessive water use and refill. Do not use your toilet/sewage as a dump all for trash; i.e. old medications, expired over the counter cold/flu products and any paper good. You will be paying for a plumber to fix a problem down the road for this. Save, by placing recycled products out to the road or at your local store, and the ladder may go into the trash or contact your pharmacist for details.

With these few examples here and the provided hyperlinks, it should offer some beginning guidance or support to your goals and ideals in living green, saving money, being eco-friendly and healthy and sustainability.

(1) Energy Star

(2) US Department of Energy

(3) World Watch Institute

(4) Department of Environment