| Eco friendly living, sometimes also referred to as | | | | on your heating and cooling costs. |
| going green, is a growing trend in the United States | | | | 4. Turn off the lights. This is such an easy way to |
| and around the world. People are becoming more | | | | save energy, and yet so easy to forget to do. A lot |
| conscious of the negative impact that our daily | | | | of energy is wasted every year when we leave |
| actions and choices can have on the environment | | | | lights on in rooms after we've left. Making a |
| around us. If you want to participate in the | | | | conscious effort to always turn out the lights will not |
| movement to go green, but aren't quite sure where | | | | only save energy, it will save you money, too. |
| to get started, then this article is for you! Read on to | | | | 5. Install low flush toilets and low flow showerheads. |
| learn about five easy things you can start doing at | | | | A huge amount of water that is used in U.S. |
| home today to make a real difference in the world | | | | households goes down the drain in the bathroom. |
| around you. | | | | Low flow showerheads will cost you less than $10 |
| 1. Compost. Composting is a great way to send less | | | | each, and will save thousands of gallons of water |
| waste to the landfill. Furthermore, compost is the | | | | every year. Furthermore, low flush toilets can save |
| best possible fertilizer you can add to your plants. | | | | as much as 3 to 5 gallons per flush! Multiply that by |
| Compost bins are readily available for purchase | | | | the number of people in your household, assuming |
| through internet and catalog stores. Stop throwing | | | | each person flushes several times per day, and the |
| away those yard clippings and food scraps, and put | | | | water savings will really begin to add up. For an even |
| them to good use in a compost bin instead. | | | | more ecological option, next time you need to |
| 2. Plant a vegetable garden. Produce purchased at | | | | replace a toilet, consider installing a composting toilet |
| many grocery stores has traveled hundreds, if not | | | | instead. These toilets cost more up front, but many |
| thousands of miles to get to your dinner table. | | | | of them use no water at all, so the savings in the |
| Growing your own produce at home is not only eco | | | | long run can be huge. |
| friendly, but it will save you a lot of money, too. For | | | | Going green is something that every American |
| every $1 invested in planting a vegetable garden, | | | | household can take part in, even if we just choose a |
| you'll reap an average of $4-5 in fresh produce. Your | | | | few simple things to participate in. Remember, eco |
| vegetable garden is also a great way to use the | | | | friendly living habits are learned young, so get your |
| compost you'll be making with your new compost bin! | | | | kids involved now; they'll be learning things that will |
| 3. Install a programmable thermostat. These | | | | stay with them for a lifetime. With just a few easy |
| thermostats will automatically adjust the temperature | | | | steps and changes every day, we can all save some |
| up or down when you're asleep or away from home. | | | | water or electricity, and start impacting the |
| They are inexpensive, can be easily found at most | | | | environment in a positive way! |
| hardware stores, and can save you as much as 10% | | | | |