No-Brainer Ways to Be Greener at Home
No-Brainer Ways to Be Greener at Home
These everyday moves can help you waste less and save more.
Program Your Home's Temperature
At this point, every home should have a programmable thermostat (call up your utility provider — they might even give you one for free). Use one to lower the temperature every day 7 to 10 degrees when you're not home or at night when you sleep, and you can save up to $180 per year. For a truly techy option, try the Nest thermostat — it learns your habits to automatically adjust the temperature when you're not around.
Aim for 78
That's the magic number for your thermostat when it's hot out — both for comfort and money-savings. Set your home's temps to 78°F during the day instead of the more-common 73°F and you can save 40% on your cooling costs.
Do Your Laundry at Night
Some electricity providers charge more during the day (when the demand for power is higher). So save by running loads of laundry and dishes after dinner instead or in the early morning.
Wash on the Cold Cycle
Speaking of laundry, your washing machine devotes 90% of its energy to heating up the water — and cold water will get clothes just as clean. Wash a few loads a week in cold water (and choose liquid detergent over powdered to ensure it dissolves well) and you can save up to $40 per year.
Load Up the Dishwasher
Two tweaks to your dishwashing routine will save you time and money. First, don't run your dishwasher until it's completely full. Second, just scrape off dishes into the trash can instead of pre-rinsing them, and you can save up to 20 gallons of water, says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). And, yes, running the dishwasher is still way more efficient than handwashing dishes, so go ahead and use it.
Don't Keep the Fridge Door Open
Idly browsing your late-night snack options or leaving the door wide open while you put away groceries can cost you. As you let cold air escape, your refrigerator has to work harder to reduce its internal temperature again. This bad habit accounts for up to 7% of your fridge's total energy use.
Make Ice Cubes the Old-Fashioned Way
Here's a sneaky energy saver: ice trays. They take seconds to fill, and you save up to 20% of your refrigerator's energy by shutting down your ice maker.
Don't Let the Faucet Run
Is this a familiar scene? You're craving a cold glass of water, so you let the sink faucet run for a minute, so the water can cool down. That five minutes could waste up to eight gallons of water per day, according to the EPA. Instead, keep a pitcher or reusable bottle of tap water in the fridge, ready to go.
Know What to Buy Organic
Organic foods can be pricey. But you don't have to go all organic, just know what to look out for. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases an annual list of the "dirty dozen" foods that contain the most pesticide residue. Choosing to buy the organic versions of just these foods can reduce your family's exposure to pesticides by 80% without breaking your grocery budget.
Unload Your Trunk
Avoid storing heavy items in the back of your car unless you really need them. More than 100 pounds of stuff in your trunk can reduce fuel efficiency by 2%, which is like spending an extra 7 cents per gallon on gas.
Turn Off Your Computer
Don't just close the screen — shut it down completely when you're done with it. This could save you $25 a year on your electric bill.
And Remember to Unplug
Even when you aren't using them, your electronics (think: a charging tablet, TV, stereo, and more) are stealthily wasting electricity. Unplug them to prevent "phantom energy draw," which can amount to $100 per year.
Adjust Your Hot Water Heater
The typical heater is set to warm household water to 140° F, but your water doesn't really need to be above 120° F. Lowering it makes a big difference — 10-degree reductions can save between $12 to $30 a year.
Go Low Flow in the Bathroom
Taking a shorter shower is an water-saving move that's easy enough, but a smarter showerhead can make things easier. Low-flow showerheads (you can find them at any major hardware store) may save you up to $70 per year on water costs, according to the EPA's WaterSense program.
Clean Behind Your Fridge
Dirty coils can make your fridge work harder, jacking up your electric bill. Clean them monthly with a coil cleaning brush or your vacuum's crevice tool for optimum efficiency.
Collect Rainwater
By placing a rain barrel at the base of a downspout, rainy days will finally have a silver lining: What you collect can be used to water non-edible outdoor and indoor plants.
These everyday moves can help you waste less and save more.