Eco-Friendly Living: Tips for Staying Green During the Winter

It's easy to be eco-friendly during the summer with simple things like composting or opening the windows rather than running the air conditioner, but what about staying eco-friendly during the winter? An eco-friendly winter can be a bit more difficult, especially with all of the extra waste that is produced during the holidays as well as the use of more energy to keep houses warm and Christmas trees lit. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to be more eco-conscious during the cooler months of the year.

Seal Your Leaks

Even little leaks can be costly throughout the winter. Unfortunately, the winter isn't the best time to replace entire windows and doors. However, you can take caulking and seal the edges of trim around windows and doors to help cut down on air leaks. This will help keep your house warm and cut down on your energy bill, which in turn, cuts down on how much natural gas (or other source of energy) that you use to heat your home.

Windows and Drapery

If you're like me, you've probably got a few windows in your home that feature sheers. While sheers are great for the summer, they're not so great for the winter because they let more heat escape in comparison to more heavier drapes.

So, by switching out your summer drapery with some heavy-duty drapery for the winter, and keeping those drapes closed during the night, you can help keep more heat inside your house. After all, no one wants to heat the outdoors.

Appliances

During the winter, every little thing counts when trying to save money and be more eco-friendly. So, it's a good idea to unplug appliances that you aren't using every day or at least, unplug them when they're not in use and only plug them in when they're needed.

Go ahead, unplug your ice tea maker. Chances are, you won't be using it until the summer, anyway.

Light Bulbs

If you haven't done it already, you should switch out your old incandescent light bulbs for newer CFL or LED light bulbs. This will cut down on your electric bill, saving you money during the colder months and of course, reducing your impact on the environment all at the same time.

Recycling

If you aren't already recycling, then perhaps now's a great time to start. Since you're spending more time indoors, put some of that extra time to super good use and start sorting your recyclables.

Holiday Shopping

For holiday shopping, it's easy to get caught up in the season and spend every spare moment at the mall or other retailers. However, to be greener during the winter, consider grouping all of your shopping together in a single day (or at least, a single weekend.) Make a list, check it twice and then hit the stores. By doing everything all at once, you'll reduce how much CO2 is released into the air by your car.

Consider using this same trick for whenever you need to run errands. Combining everything into a single trip is a great way to save money and of course, reduce your carbon footprint.

Oh, and don't forget to invest in a set of reusable shopping bags while you're at it.

So, just because it isn't summer time, don't think you can't do things to stay eco-friendly. Even the little things, like swapping out light bulbs, unplugging an unused appliance or replacing your drapes can make a difference.

Additional Information

EnergyStar.Gov: Light Bulbs (CFLs) for Consumers

Eco Home Resource: Winter Energy Savings