WHAT YOU CAN DO:
RESOURCES:
ABOUT ECOLOGY: |
||
Go Green/Save GreenOne good message for Earth Day 2009 is “Economize and Ecologize” – save money while protecting the environment. Some of the following tips can mean big savings and others might seem comparatively little. But there are millions and millions of us and it all adds up. ENERGYTax Credits – check out the Federal income tax credits available for a wide variety of energy-saving measures. Also, ask if your utility provider offers any energy-efficiency rebate programs. These improvements can pay for themselves in a short time because of the energy saved. Appliances and electronics – if you are planning to upgrade or purchase new appliances or home electronics, check the ENERGY STAR website hosted by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Products in more than 60 categories are eligible for the ENERGY STAR label. They use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. Heating – one economical move is to replace an older mercury thermostat with a new, electronic, programmable model. These newer devices can save you nearly 10 percent a year on your heating/cooling bill and they pay for themselves in no time. (Remember to make sure that the old mercury thermostat is safely recycled. The recycling is free at participating businesses and household hazardous waste facilities.) Also, close vents in unused rooms. Lighting – shift from older, standard (incandescent) lighting to compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. CFLs use up to 75 percent less electricity to produce the same amount of light and they last up to 10 times longer. Water heating – adjust your water heater to 120 degrees. That’s plenty hot enough for all household uses. (The automatic dishwasher heats its own water). Also, wash laundry in cold water. Trade out older model night lights for the newer glowing “blue square” type. These new ones cost just pennies per year to operate and they are cool to the touch. In kitchens, family rooms and other high-use areas where the lights are left on, install a motion-activated switch that automatically turns out the lights when no one is in the room and turns them back on when someone enters. Watch for ‘energy vampires’ in your home and turn off as many as you can. Many devices use electricity even when they are not in use. Some of the biggest energy wasters in most homes are the adapters that come with rechargeable, battery-powered cordless phones, cell phones, digital cameras and music players, power tools, and other electronic devices. Most draw power whenever they’re plugged into an outlet, regardless of whether the device battery is fully charged—or even connected. Other culprits include appliances or electronic equipment with standby capability (such as televisions and computer monitors), a remote control, and/or a digital clock display (such as microwaves, DVD players, and stereo systems). TRANSPORTATIONCombine as many errands as possible into one trip Drive slower – even 5 miles per hour less boosts miles per gallon Empty the trunk of non-essentials. A lighter car gets better mileage Instead of idling in line or while waiting, turn your engine off if you are stopped for longer than 30 seconds Get regular oil changes and tune ups. A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently and a little prevention can save big bills down the road. Keep your tires at the recommended pressure. If you drive a non-hybrid, use your cruise control on the open road. If possible, adjust your work schedule to avoid “rush hour” traffic. Stop and go driving wastes a lot of gas. Park in the shade on a hot day. Heat evaporates gas. Put on your seatbelt before you start the engine. Charge phones, headsets and other electricals at home rather than by the car charger. Can you telecommute one day a week? That could cut your commute cost by 20 percent. Use your air conditioner wisely. On the highway, it’s more cost effective than rolling down the windows because the wind drag will reduce gas mileage. In town, turn the air conditioner off and roll the windows down. If you do your own maintenance, remember that used motor oil, brake fluid and anti-freeze can be recycled. Call Ecology’s recycling hotline, 1-800-RECYCLE (1-800-732-9253), or visit the recycling website. WATERWhile the tap is open waiting for hot water to flow, capture the cold water in a pitcher and re-use it. Faucet drips? Toilet leaks? Fix them and save money – a steady drip can add up to hundreds of dollars per year on your water bill. Turn off the tap while you brush your teeth. In the summer, let your lawn go brown or water no more than needed. Some communities have set up sprinkler calculators to make the job easier. As a rule of thumb, in Western Washington, even though summer supply is usually plentiful, there is no need to water more than one inch at a time per week. Put out an empty tuna can under the sprinkler. When it’s full, you’re done. In Eastern Washington, where water is usually more scarce, use wise methods. For example, avoid watering in the heat of the day (to avoid evaporation loss) and adjust sprinkling times once a month to accommodate changes in weather. Invest in a hose timer to avoid overwatering. Soaker hoses are also a great option for avoiding evaporation due to wind. Also, avoid watering the sidewalk, driveway or the street. Buy a re-usable water bottle in high-impact plastic, aluminum or stainless steel and drink tap water. Even using a filter will cost you less than buying bottled water. If you have a standard toilet, fill a quart jar, bottle or other container with water and place it in your toilet tank (where the water is kept before flushing) – away from the flushing mechanism. This will cut down on the amount water used per flush. Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry. Have septic systems professionally inspected and pumped out regularly. Routine maintenance can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs. |
Each of us | |
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
|
|
|
|
