How To Go Green Without Spending a Dime

Sure, going green is so trendy these days, its almost chic. But there’s nothing chic about spending a small fortune on pricey “enviro-friendly” devices, especially when gas prices are soaring. So can you go green without going broke? Absolutely. In fact, going green can save you a little green on the backend. Just follow these simple steps to help save the environment without spending a dime.

1. Turn down your water heater thermostat to 120° F. Some manufacturers set water heater thermostats at 140º F, but most households usually only require them set at 120º F or even 115º F. Water heated at 140º F can be dangerous because it’s scalding. Why pay money to cool off water that’s too hot to use? Lower your thermostat – you’ll lower your water heating costs. In fact, for each 10º F reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3%–5% in energy costs.
2. Switch the direction of your ceiling fans. If you don’t have them, don’t install them, you can save in other ways. If you do have them, pay close attention to the direction that your ceiling fans rotate. During summer months, set them to go counterclockwise to create a downdraft. During winter months, set them to go clockwise to help distribute hot air to the ceiling. Most fans have a switch on them that resembles an on/off feature. Flip the switch and you’ll change the direction of the fan blades.
3. Use less water each time you flush. Believe it or not, up to half the water we use in our homes is used in the bathroom. If you live in a new house, you probably have the new low-volume, flush toilets that automatically save water. But if you have an older toilet, you can turn it into a low-volume commode that saves water by making an easy ‘displacement device’ out of a plastic bottle. Instead of throwing out that empty bottle of apple juice (it’ll end up in a landfill), fill it with water, recap it, and place it inside the toilet tank. The plastic bottle will serve as a displacement device and you’ll reduce the flow by 40 percent and still maintain enough water for a good flush.
4. Change heating and cooling filters when you pay your electricity bill. It may sound like overkill, but for people with allergies it makes all the sense in the world. Plus, you’ll save on your energy bill. Your heating and air units will act more efficiently, and you can save more money when you purchase the filters in bulk.
5. Don’t just turn off your computer, switch off the power strip that it’s plugged into. The reason is that power strips whose switches remain in the ‘on’ position continue to suck power – even after you’ve turned off the individual appliance. The same goes for power strips that house your television and other frequently used electronics. If something is plugged directly into the wall with no power strip, you’ll need to turn it off and unplug it to stop the energy drain.
6. Don’t chuck your old computer, upgrade it. New computers are so irresistible with their fun colors, sleek sizes and doodads, but it’s the software that determines how well it can do the job. Most computers can be upgraded with more memory and you can always increase space by adding hard drives. But if you must have the newest and fastest computer on the market, then learn how to recycle your old computer (http://www.computerhope.com/disposal.htm) for an enviro-friendly disposal before you ditch it!

You don’t have to do everything all at once. Start small and implement little changes gradually. You’ll see the fruits of your labor in lower energy bills each month. Get ready to save!