| It can be quite overwhelming for most of us to think | | | | to hang clothes to dry whenever you can. Again, |
| about helping the environment; it's too big, too vague. | | | | your power bill will thank you. |
| But it is in all of our hands to make a difference, and | | | | Surprisingly, running a full dishwasher uses about one |
| there are very simple ways to do this. Start in your | | | | sixth the amount of water that traditional hand |
| own home. | | | | washing does. Dishwashers are also being made to be |
| Homeowners can take small steps that will have a big | | | | as energy efficient as possible, so consider investing |
| impact on the environment. Start by shutting off | | | | in one to save on power and energy. Your hands will |
| lights when you leave the room. You'll lower your | | | | also thank you! |
| electricity bill and use up less of the world's limited | | | | During winter months, be sure to pick up an |
| power supply. It's also a great idea to change over | | | | affordable weatherizing kit. These usually include |
| to compact fluorescent light bulbs. They last longer | | | | weather stripping for doors, outlet covers, and shrink |
| and use up a lot less energy. | | | | wrap for windows. Anything you can do to minimize |
| Unplug your appliances when they're not in use. | | | | heat loss will reduce heating bills, and provide for a |
| Things like entertainment systems, fans, and coffee | | | | much more comfortable home. |
| makers are only in use part of the time. Leaving | | | | Purchasing a programmable thermostat is a smart |
| them plugged in is just a waste. | | | | move any time of year. It saves you the hassle of |
| When you leave your computer, put it on standby if | | | | always adjusting the temperature, and prevents heat |
| you're only walking away for a while. Turn it off | | | | waste. Think of how many times you've forgotten |
| completely if you're done for the day. And don't | | | | to turn the heat off at night. Accidents like these |
| forget to turn off the monitor; every bit of energy | | | | send your heating costs through the roof. |
| you can save, helps. | | | | In the summer, try to cook on the barbecue as |
| To save water, turn off the taps while brushing your | | | | much as possible. Not only will you be saving energy, |
| teeth. Low-flow showerheads have been around for | | | | but you'll also avoid heating up the house on warm |
| a while, but in the past they didn't have the water | | | | days. |
| pressure that most homeowners needed. Today | | | | These steps are simple and affordable ways that |
| however, they produce a jet that is comparable to | | | | you and your family can start living a greener |
| standard showerheads. | | | | lifestyle. You may ask "What's in it for me?" Lower |
| Consider purchasing a "low flush" toilet, which can | | | | utility bills for starters. Having an energy efficient |
| save you one to four gallons per flush. If you're not | | | | home is good for your wallet. But there's also the |
| in the market for a new toilet, but would still like to | | | | benefit of knowing that you are doing your part to |
| save water, try placing a couple of filled water | | | | take care of the planet. |
| bottles in your tank. Put a bit of sand or place a few | | | | We take the earth for granted every day, yet it is |
| stones in the bottom of the bottles before filling with | | | | our most precious commodity. Without clean air, we |
| water in order to weigh them down and reduce their | | | | develop breathing problems. Unsanitary drinking water |
| buoyancy. Using this method, you can potentially | | | | leads to a plethora of intestinal issues. The toxicity |
| reduce up to 30% of your toilet's water use. | | | | levels are rising, and if we don't all make some simple, |
| Only use the washing machine when you have a full | | | | cost-effective changes, our children and grandchildren |
| load, and if you're thinking about buying a new one, | | | | will inherit a poisoned earth. Remember, this is the |
| consider getting a front loading washer. Also be sure | | | | only home we've got. |