HotmailMake small changes for a big eco-impact
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Stick to a program
About 42 percent of an average household’s energy costs go toward just two things: heating and cooling. Buy a programmable thermostat, which can regulate different temperatures at different times of the day. And if you have one, use it! These thermostats reduce energy use by 5 to 30 percent and save you $100 to $150 in energy costs each year.
Fundamental decision — Use resources responsibly, to save energy. In the cold of winter and the heat of summer, we are drawn to the thermostat, often adjusting the numbers for optimum comfort.
But every time we turn up the heat or cool down the house, we are using precious resources. By making ourselves more responsible, either by putting on a sweater when we want to be warmer or closing the blinds to keep out the sun when we want to be cooler, we can be comfortable inside, no matter what the weather is like outside.
Financial benefit — When you are sleeping or out for the day, it isn’t necessary to heat or cool your house in the same manner as when you are home and awake. In the winter, layer blankets on your bed and turn the thermostat back 10 degrees for 10 hours. This could save 5 to 10 percent a year on heating prices; that’s about a 1 percent savings for every degree. In the summer, set the thermostat to cool only when you are home and awake, and enjoy further financial gains.
Functional advantage — Digital thermostats give you the most program options, meaning you can set your heating/cooling cycles to turn off and on throughout the day and night. Consider the sleeping and working patterns of your household, and set the times accordingly. Once your new system is in place, it requires little maintenance. If you need to make an unscheduled adjustment, most models offer override buttons that do not require resetting the whole system.
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Forward living — If family members have a hard time adjusting to the new temperatures, check to make sure your thermostat is in a good location before demanding more energy from it. Drafts, open doors, bright skylights, and direct sunlight can prevent efficient readings. Set up your family for success, and chances are, your household will cool and heat smoothly.
Nov. 19: TODAY hosts get tips from mom and author Helen Coronato about raising your kids in an eco-friendly environment.
New and improved light bulbs and thermostat monitoring are ideas that every family can get behind. Again, we are looking not to completely change our lifestyles, but to make adjustments within our homes to benefit the environment and improve our health. Without having to make drastic changes, we can still make an important difference. With an eco-friendly plan as simple as the 4F equation, it’s easy to see that small green-living changes really add up to big eco-results!
Five-minute makeovers
Today choose one of these five strategies and take an action step toward greener living. Set a goal to complete the remaining four activities by the end of the month. Small changes like these can set the stage for big eco-results.
The next time you flush the toilet, take the lid off the tank and watch as the water empties out. When the water level is low, place a brick inside the tank to help decrease the amount of water needed to refill the tank. Less water in the tank means less water being flushed down the drain.
Save 20 gallons of water a day by turning on your dishwasher only when there is a full load. Decrease the number of times you need to run your dishwasher by reusing the same drinking glass throughout the day instead of taking a new one for every drink of water.
Increase your fuel efficiency up to 40 percent by driving the speed limit and avoiding sudden braking or acceleration. Less wear and tear on your car also means less wear and tear on the environment.
Bring your own cloth bags when shopping and reduce pollution. Plastic bags are not biodegradable; when they break down, they pollute water and Earth.
Plug your TV, VCR, DVD, and stereo equipment into a single power cord, and turn it off when not in use, eliminating “standby” energy waste.
When we use natural resources more responsibly, we are making a fundamental decision to honor Earth and our place on it. Taking only what we need instead of always indulging in what we want helps ensure that there are enough resources for everyone. Financially speaking, going green can lessen the strain on your wallet. It is often assumed that environmental changes cost big dollars, a price many families cannot afford to pay, despite their good intentions. But by making small changes, financial “start-up” costs remain manageable and the long-term benefits quickly justify the expenditure. Once systems are in place, greener living can help make your household more functional. Greener living means more conscientious shopping. Taking inventory of what you have on hand, organizing what will stay and what will go, leads to less clutter. When there is a place for everything and everything is in its place, shopping routines become more systematic, making the most of your time and energy — and ultimately saving you money. It may be helpful to put these ideas into a useful equation.
Excerpted from “Eco-Friendly Families” by Helen Coronato. Copyright (c) 2008, reprinted with permission from Penguin Group.
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