From Guest Blogger Alia: How To Make an Eco-friendly Environment
With grim predictions of global warming now a regular feature in daily news reports, pressure is mounting on each one of us to seek ways to lead greener lives. Being eco-friendly starts at your doorstep. From recycling to replacing old appliances, minor changes at home can add up to real benefits for the planet, not to mention your health and happiness. Here are some cool ideas on how to make your home a little greener.
Replace your old appliances
Get rid of your appliances that are more than 10 years old. Replace them with energy-saving models that carry the “Energy Star” logo. Such appliances consume 10%- 50% less energy and water than usual models. According to the Environment Protection Agency, if just one in ten homes used energy-star qualified appliances, it would seem as though they are contributing to 1.7 million new plantations.
Use a programmable thermostat
Heating and cooling systems consume more of electricity at home. Check the temperature and set the thermostat as required. A programmable thermostat will note the changes in temperature and get set automatically. By using it, you will definitely see a steep decrease in your energy bill. Basic thermostats are quite affordable.
Use ceiling fans instead of cooling systems. Inspect the windows and doors in your home regularly. If they are not sealed properly then there will be some amount of energy wasted in unnecessary cooling and heating.
Use healthier paints
Regular paints contain unhealthy ingredients such as solvents and toxic compounds that can cause ozone pollution and health problems. While painting your walls, try water based, lead free paints or zero VOC paints which are more eco-friendly than usual paints.
Make the best of waste
Try to have two dustbins in your house. Collect organic waste (kitchen waste) in one and use it for recycling. Keep another for collecting non-organic waste. Use the organic waste as compost for your garden. The non-organic waste such as paper, tins and cans are actively being collected by the waste management facilities.
Use environmentally friendly cleaners
When it’s time for a little spring-cleaning, do you reach for common household cleaners? Harsh chemicals used in most of these products do not completely dissolve in water and can have a negative impact on your home- not to mention those living in it! There are many eco-friendly cleaners available at any local supermarkets. Try natural cleansers such as lemon and baking soda to remove grease and tough stains. These products are non-toxic and eco-friendly too.
Install solar panels
Installing solar panels are a great savings to any home. You can choose from a variety of panels that deliver different amounts of power. Solar panels meet 50% of your home hot water requirements. Your power company offers you a discount on your monthly energy bill.
Use motion sensor bulbs
For common areas like staircases, lobbies, etc consider using motion sensor light bulbs. These will keep your pathway illuminated and you need not bother to turn off the lights when you are leaving a room. They save lot of money on wasted electricity. They also act as good burglar deterrents.
Save water
A little care can go a long way in saving water. Never turn the tap on when brushing or shaving. Use bathtub occasionally and opt for a bucket bath instead of a shower. Choose low flow toilet mechanisms. These systems consume less water while still serving the same purpose as regular toilets. Obviously, you will save gallons of water and money on water bills.
Instead of using a hose, clean your car with a wet sponge. Operate your washing machine and dishwasher in quick wash mode. This not only saves electricity but also water. Make sure to use either of them with full load. If you have someone else to do these tasks, instruct them to soak the clothes with a detergent and then wash them. Ask them to follow the same procedure with the dishes in a kitchen sink.
Fix leaking taps if any and use aerosol spray faucets or make adjustments to existing taps. This way it increases the water pressure and at the same time reducing water flow.
Avoid plastic
Wherever you go, carry a jute or cloth bag so that you don’t have to use plastic bags. Plastics are made from petroleum and by burning them you are contributing to global warming. Reduce and reuse the plastics and this is the most effective way to combat global warming.
About The Author: Alia is a writer/blogger. She loves writing, travelling and reading books. She contributes to Bradley Sperling
“Use motion sensor bulbs.”
I don’t quite understand. Does that assume bare light bulbs? I have no bare light bulbs and if a light bulb is enclosed within a globe, how could it work?
There are motion sensing light switches which can replace manual wall-mounted switches; they could be a good idea in some locations. But what about for stairways when the lights can be controlled from two different switches? Are there motion sensing switches that can be used in that situation?
I have one light switch at the top of the stairway, but one often walks past it without using the stairs. Does that mean that the stairway lights would often be turned on when they are not needed?
It would be very helpful to have more information on motion switching light switches since they could be very convenient.
Regarding replacing old appliances, it would be helpful to list the appliances. For example, replacing a very old refrigerator could save considerable energy, but it would seem unlikely that replacing old stoves, mixers, or toasters would make any difference.
Programable thermostats can be a good idea, but would they be of any use in a house with radiant floor heating when if a room is allowed to cool off it would take several hours to warm up or if warm it would take several hours too cool off?
I would NEVER consider cleaning a car with a wet sponge!! That would scratch the paint. Commercial car washes reuse water after filtering it and therefore use less water than properly washing a car at home.
The problem with using a washing machine with a full load is that one would often have to ignore garment washing instructions thereby risking having light colored clothing being stained by dye from darker clothing. I certainly would not want white sheets stained blue if they are washed with Levis. Some judgment is required; sometimes it is necessary to wash small loads in which case the machine need not be filled completely with water.
One way to save water was not listed. A hot water recirculation pump can eliminate the need to waste hot water while waiting for hot water to reach the faucet. Some building codes now require recirculation pumps to save water. However, there is a problem: While the recirculation pump is running, some energy is wasted because pipes can never have perfect insulation. Timers are supposed to solve that problem, but a timer cannot know when you will need hot water. My new house has a button near each hot water faucet to activate the pump briefly, but I have been unable to find a ready-made timing mechanism so the pump is actually running continuously. I may have to design and build a pump controller myself.