Many people these days talk about “going green” and trying to save the environment. You don’t need to be a hippie to see that society is using up its natural resources very quickly and doing little things here and there can really help extend the life of our home. No, you don’t need to sell your Hummer or quit using hairspray, but there are simple actions you can take daily to do your part in this green phenomenon.
1. Many home appliances these days come with some type of energy conservation function already installed. Appliances such as dishwashers or washing machines are able to use less water and use less energy to heat the water and still do a sufficient job. Not only are these energy saving appliances good for the environment but they’re good for your wallet too! For example, you can save up to 7,000 gallons of water each year by investing in an Energy Star washing machine! Luckily, these types of appliances can be picked up at many stores, including Sears and Sears.com. Even better, you can use CheapSally.com coupons for Sears and start your savings earlier!
2. Not ready for a new refrigerator or dishwasher? Well there are smaller steps you can take around your home to still save money and go green, such as using energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs for your lights. When looking at these bulbs in a store you may notice they are a bit more expensive than the others; however, don’t let the price fool you because you are actually getting more for your buck with these. The energy-efficient bulbs use a quarter of the energy a normal bulb does and thus it will up to twelve times longer, thus saving you money on buying bulbs and on your electric bill.
3. Another simple way to help out the environment is to recycle. This is probably very redundant, as it seems everyone has jumped on the recycling bandwagon; however, it is something easy to do and really helps to eliminate excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It’s important to recycle any paper or plastic you might throw away but even more beneficial is to not buy as much in the first place. For example, buying a water bottle you can refill on your own is a better option than buying a new plastic water bottle every time, even if you do choose to recycle it after you’re done.
4. Making the effort to use your car less will save you money on gas and cut back on the carbon dioxide discharge into the atmosphere. Depending on where you live, you may not have many options when it comes to public transit, but it is a great way to reduce those toxic fumes. If you can’t take public transportation, start up your own mini-system by creating a carpool service to work or school. Even better, don’t take a car at all! Explore the great outdoors by foot or bicycle, or if you’re more daring get a motor scooter or motorcycle as they can get up to seventy-five miles to the gallon!
Steff Scholl isn’t the star player for the Going Green team but she does her best to do what she can, even if it’s as small as driving a Vespa or taking the local trolley. Most recently she invested in an Energy Star microwave using CheapSally.com coupons for Sears. It’s just one more step in the right direction to a healthier planet.
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