Simple Steps to a Greener Life

Adjust the Thermostat
· Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat that is compatible with your heating and cooling system.
· Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120° F.
· Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators. And make sure not to put heat-absorbing furniture—like a couch—in between the radiator and the room.

Change the Light Bulbs
· Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. They produce 75% less heat (i.e. energy) than regular light bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer.

Turn off the Power
· On average, idle machines use 11% of a home’s electricity.
· Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use. This is not bad for your computer and hasn’t been since the days of mainframe computing.
· Plug all electronics into power strips and turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use.
· Call your utility company and learn how to buy green power.

Use Less Water
· Use low-flow shower heads and take short showers. There are good low-flow shower heads that feel like you’re getting the same pressure as you would with a traditional shower head.
· Skip the bath.
· Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
· Go to wateruseitwisely.com for more information on reducing water consumption.

Insulate
· With nothing more than proper insulation, most homes can cut their bills by over 30%. Check the insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces. If you’re home pre-dates 1980, re-insulate it. Only 20% of homes built before 1980 are well insulated.
· Check for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, lights, plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home.
· Caulk and insulate everywhere.
· Close fireplace dampers when not in use.

Stop Junk Mail
· Junk mail produces more C02 than 9 million cars, kills 100+ million trees and wastes 28 billion gallons of clean water each year.
· Try optoutprescreen.com, catalogchoice.org, and 41pounds.org to get off the junk mail lists. Start Recycling· Remember – almost EVERYTHING can be recycled.
· Most towns and cities have recycling information on their websites. If you are unsure of what you can recycle, start there. Many transfer stations and dumps accept items that you cannot recycle at the curb.
· Check for local non-profits or stores that will accept items for recycling.
· Set up a recycling station in your home and get your family involved.

Waste Less Plastic
· Plastics are made from petroleum -- the processing and burning of which is considered one of the main contributors to global warming. Each year Americans throw away 38 billion plastic bags and 60 million plastic water bottles.
· Bring reusable shopping bags with you wherever you go. They fit more than you can imagine and their lightweight design makes it easy to scrunch them up and fit them in your bag, purse or glove compartment.
· Use only reusable food storage containers.
· And finally, stop it with the single use water bottles! Switch to reusable bottles, preferably in aluminum, which contains no BPA.