Going Green at Home - Easy ways to reduce your energy use and your impact on the environment, while saving money.

by Mike Knight | Illustrations by Mark Matcho

Consume less, recycle whenever possible and no matter where or how, live greener. That’s the philosophy of Sara Snow, renowned green living expert and host of “Living Fresh” and “Get Fresh with Sara Snow” on the Discovery Home Channel.

And Snow isn’t the only one thinking this way. In a recent Gallup poll, 28 percent of respondents said they have made “major changes” in their lifestyles to protect the environment. Fifty-five percent said they have made “minor changes.” Those who reported making changes said they were recycling more, buying biodegradable products, and conserving energy and resources.

For some, it’s really about stewardship, says the Rev.Jeff Wild, pastor of Advent Lutheran Church in Madison, Wisconsin, who has worked since 2000 to make his church more eco-friendly. “We nurture and care for creation, creation takes care of us and provokes in us generosity, gratitude and thanksgiving.”

Want to step up your own green commitment? There are lots of small things you can do at home to use fewer resources and reduce your energy consumption, which lessens the demand for fossil fuels. It also may save you some money.

The Living Room
“Every degree you move the thermostat up or down—warmer in summer, cooler in winter—saves you 3 percent to 4 percent on your heating and cooling bills,” says Snow. If you install a programmable thermostat, which turns the heat or the air down when you’re away or asleep, you may trim up to $150 a year from utility bills.

At Advent Lutheran, lighting upgrades helped cut energy consumption by 40 percent, says Wild. Switching out bulbs can help you, too. Though more expensive than incandescent bulbs, Energy Star-qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75 percent less energy, last up to 10 times longer and save about $30 in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime.

In the living room and elsewhere in the house, install dimmer switches that let you control the amount of light you use. If you’re shopping for a TV, compare energy use—some require more than others. And in the summertime, close the curtains, blinds or shades on south- and west-facing windows during the day to reduce cooling costs. All of these steps save energy, especially when many people do the same.

The Kitchen
Snow suggests buying locally produced food, including seasonal, homegrown or local farm-grown fruits and vegetables. Here’s why: Locally produced food travels less (reducing related fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions). Plus, it’s more nutritious because it ripens naturally instead of en route. To buy local, stop by farmers’ markets and nearby food co-ops.

Back at home, collect reusable bags. Then put a few in your car to grab when you shop. This saves trees used to make paper bags and petroleum used to make plastic bags, which take years to decompose. Some stores even sell or give away reusable canvas bags.

After you brew coffee, pour it into an insulated decanter and unplug the coffeemaker to save energy, says Wild. “It sounds simple, but it all adds up.”

And instead of bottled water, drink filtered water from a pitcher or water bottle with a built-in filtration system. You’ll save money in the long run and reduce the use of plastic water bottles, which are made using petroleum—a finite resource—and often end up in landfills.

Another cool idea: The refrigerator often is your home’s largest energy user, so if you’re due for a new fridge, consider an Energy Star unit. They’ve been shown to use 40 percent less energy than conventional models made in 2001.

The Bathroom
Cut your shower in half and turn off the water while you brush your teeth, says Snow, and you’ll save nearly 2,000 gallons of water annually. Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators help reduce water use, too. They’re inexpensive and easy to install. Also, consider natural and organic body care products, which often are easier on your skin and better for the environment because they’re chemical-free.

Baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice make great green substitutes for common cleaning products, which can include toxic chemicals. Check online at Web sites like www.eartheasy.com for formulas for all-purpose cleaners and stain removers.

And if your water heater needs replacing, think about a tankless model. Keeping water hot around the clock with a standard water heater—whether needed or not—accounts for 15 percent of a home’s energy use. Tankless models heat only on demand, reducing energy use and saving money—up to $1,800 over the life of the heater. Or, simply turn down the heater’s temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (saving as much as $61 annually).

The Bedroom
“Fill your room with plants for natural beauty and a simple, effective way to clean the air,” says Snow. Plant leaves absorb airborne pollutants. Bamboo palm, English ivy, Gerbera daisy and peace lily make great, low-maintenance choices.

When you buy new sheets, buy the organically grown cotton or bamboo variety (available online and at major department stores). “Organic cotton means the cotton wasn’t grown with harmful fertilizers and pesticides,” says Snow. “And bamboo is a sustainable material because it grows so quickly.”

Do you charge your cell phone on your nightstand? Put the charging unit, and other chargers you use regularly, on power strips so you can turn them off entirely when you’re not charging. It sounds simple, but it matters.

The same holds true for all of these steps. Alone they may seem insignificant. Together they can make a difference—for the planet and your bottom line.

Mike Knight is a writer in Indianapolis, Indiana. He covers lifestyle, health and travel topics for various publications.

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