13 Easy Ways to Go Green

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Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to completely renovate your home to become more eco-friendly. While things like photovoltaic panels and recycled swimming pool water are all well and good for people who have the time, even busy parents can help save the environment with these 13 tips.




1. Get Educated

How much water is wasted in the average home? How much energy do your light bulbs emit? Know these facts and figures so you can build a plan for cutting back by X percent or saving X dollars a month.


2. Unplug

The average person wastes 40 watt-hours every day by leaving their unused electronics and appliances plugged in. If you aren't currently using it, pull the cord out of the wall.


3. Insulate Your Home

Your thermostat is the environment's worst enemy. If your home is properly insulated, however, you'll be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, so you'll be less likely to reach for the temperature controls.


4. Air-Dry Your Clothes

Do you really need to dry your clothes? Think of how much energy your dryer wastes when you don't even need your work uniform until the next day. Hang up your wet garments instead.


5. Shorten Your Showers

Shaving just a few minutes off your shower time can save gallons and gallons of water per year. You can also invest in energy-efficient shower heads that will regulate water flow and reduce your H2O consumption significantly.  You can even buy a water flow measurement tool to make sure your showers aren't too long.


6. Drive Less

Automobile emissions are absolutely terrible for the atmosphere, so if you can, bike or bus to work. You can also set up a carpool with your colleagues so less cars get driven to the office every day.


7. Don't Pre-Heat the Oven

Only certain foods like breads and casseroles need to enter a pre-heated oven to be properly cooked. You'll save a lot of energy throughout the year if you aren't wasting it on empty racks.


8. Go Paperless

Don't use post-it notes when you can set reminders on your smartphone. Don't print things out if they can be just as efficiently stored on your computer. Going paperless will make you more modern and more eco-friendly.


9. Recycle

You'll need to re-form certain habits when it comes to throwing your garbage away, but once you do, recycling will be the easiest thing in the world. Try it and see for yourself!


10. Turn Off the Lights

Make a habit of turning off the lights when you leave a room. Not only will this help save the environment, but you'll also notice a lower utility bill, too.


11. Shop in Your Neighborhood

Don't pollute the Earth with unnecessary deliveries. If you can find it locally, buy it locally.


12. Say No to Plastic Bags

Plastic bags aren't biodegradable, and they're killing thousands of ocean animals each year. Buy a cloth bag for your grocery shopping. The dolphins will thank you.


13. Stay Informed

The world is constantly changing, so it's important to stay on top of environmental news. Become a regular on the sites of advocacy groups or gas exploration companies. Businesses like Sentry Energy can teach you a lot.


These are just 13 ways to go green without breaking the bank or completely remodeling your home. A better Earth starts with you!