Kermit says, “It’s hard being green”. But that’s not true! Here are some easy ways to live a little greener without laying out a load of green. These green living tips are guaranteed not to break the bank.
Vanquish the Vampires
Unplug electronics when not in use. Many electronic devices still draw power even when you turn them off. Leaving the plug in the outlet is like a slow drip drip, drip, but instead of water at the faucet, it’s electricity at the plug. This tops our green living tips because it won’t cost you a dime.
Lighten Up Your Lights
By now, you probably don’t have any incandescent bulbs left in the house. The last round of these relics will be phased out in August of this year. So, when you have the choice of LEDs or CFLs, go for the LEDs. They are 75% more efficient where CFLs are only 25% more efficient than those incandescent oldies. When it comes to green living tips, this is a no-brainer.
Swap Out Your Thermostat
Ditch the old-school thermostat for a programmable one. These little beauties will adjust the temperature according to the schedule you set. So, you don’t waste energy heating or cooling your house while you are away or asleep. Bonus points for a smart thermostat that allows you to control heating and cooling remotely. Some electric providers offer incentives or rebates on these energy savers making this a net-zero proposition.
Save Your Colors, Clothes, and Energy
Unless your clothes are super dirty or super stinky, you can wash them in cold water and they’ll still come clean. Modern surfactants significantly boosted the cleaning power of laundry detergent. Cold water is better for your fabrics and won’t fade colors as quickly as warm or hot water. If you don’t think cold water will cut it in your washer, give it a try with a little washing soda and see the difference!
Line Dry When Possible
Instead of tumbling clothes in the dryer, hang them outside to dry. Ack, you say. Who wants stiff clothes? Well, you can prevent clothes from getting overly stiff when line drying by using these tips:
#1 cut back the amount of laundry detergent you use.
#2 add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
#3 line dry laundry on cloudy or windy days.
#4 cheat. When clothes are just damp toss them in the dryer for a quick tumble.
Yeah, number 4 is a bit of a cheat. But running the dryer for 10 minutes uses much less energy than running it for an hour or more.
Let the Sun In
Use natural light as much as possible. If you need some light in the day, open those curtains and blinds and let the sunshine in when you need light. This cuts the need for artificial light. Close the blinds and curtains to keep the room cool when not in use.
Make Any Day Arbor Day
Plant trees around your house. Planting trees around your home provides shade and reduces the need for air conditioning. Tell the neighbors you are indulging in biophilic design and send them scrambling for the Google. Sure, you’re going to have to wait a few years for the results, but it will be fun to watch them grow. In the meantime, move to eco-friendly green landscaping in the yard.
Add Insulation
Would you believe 90% of homes in the US are not properly insulated? Proper insulation helps keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. That cuts back on the amount of energy you need for heating and cooling. This one is going to cost a little coin, but it’s not an outrageous outlay. Blown insulation requires a contractor, but batt insulation is a DIY project. Just do it before it gets hot in the attic!
The Original Green Living Tips -Reduce Reuse Recycle
By now, you’re probably sick of hearing this, but if you reduce what you consume and reuse and recycle what you do consume, you will make a difference.
So get out there and get green! Share your tip for green living on the cheap in the comments below.
About the Author
Cheryl is our go-to guru for all things sustainable living. She’s on a mission to make your family and our planet thrive! With a heart as big as her passion for sustainability, Cheryl brings you the freshest insights on eco-friendly building products and energy efficiency. 🌱💡
And hey, did you hear about the eco-friendly lightbulb that went to therapy? It finally found its inner “enlightenment”! 😄 Join Cheryl on this green journey, where she’ll tackle your concerns with a smile and a sprinkle of eco-humor!