Lowering wattage, which involves replacing bulbs or entire fixtures with alternatives that provide the same amount or greater amounts of light with but with reduced electricity usage. Today, this can be accomplished most easily by replacing inefficient incandescent bulbs with incandescent/halogen bulbs or compact fluorescent bulbs.
Check the back of the paint can for levels of volatile organic chemicals "VOCs". An ideal paint has fewer than 150 grams per liter. These are often labeled low-VOC or no-VOC.
For homes built before 1978, test painted surfaces for lead before sanding. If lead is found, contact a professional for remediation.
Common hardwood floors come from trees that take 50 years or more to reach maturity, where as bamboo replenishes every four to six years.
Cork contains a naturally occurring substance called suberin that repels insects, mites and mold. This makes cork floors a great product for people with allergies as it is hypoallergenic. The suberin in cork also makes it naturally fire resistant and also protects it from rotting when wet.
Energy audits evaluate your home and look for ways to improve energy efficiency. You can hire a professional, or in some areas your gas or electric utility will do the audit for you. Inspectors often use thermography and other technologies to evaluate hidden leaks and insulation problems.
Place recycle collection containers in several areas making sure they are adjacent to trash cans. Many times, people will throw their waste in the nearest place that will accept it, and that usually happens to be a trash can. With recycling bins nearby, they are more likely to drop their cans and bottles in the recycling bins separate from the trash.
Reduce the load on your air conditioner with window film applied to windows that receive direct sunlight! Designed to reduce up to 76% of solar heat and block up to 99% of the ultraviolet rays.
An easy way to save money around the house is to seal off drafts, which can reduce your energy bill 5-30%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Check for window drafts by carefully holding an incense stick up to each frame and watch the smoke to see if there is a leak. (Be sure to remove all curtains first to avoid a fire). Then use caulking or weather-stripping to seal the cracks.
You can get refurbs for a steal, often for less than 50% of the retail price! Before they're resold to the public, they go through an intense defect-testing process and the warranties usually remain intact, so you can save money and help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills!
Cut down on pollution and energy by choosing ground transportation for your deliveries! Whenever possible, go with ground transportation instead of rush air delivery for your mailing needs. On average, ground shipping is more than six times more energy efficient than air. Plan ahead so overnight or next day air shipping doesn’t become a necessity. This will also help save on additional rush delivery costs and burn less fossil fuel per shipment!