How can i make my home "greener"?

Question

I live in Delaware. So its real hot in the summer. But we found ways not to use the air conditioning. We dry our clothes outside on that string thing. What else can i do to be green and save energy?

xoxox thanks

-Raindrop ♥

Answer 1

try using saving electricity bulbs and if u can change the design of ur housem definetly by consulting an architect engineer to help finding that solution of minimizing the need for air conditioning the area,i mean by using a system of windows or opens which control that...also try using a sensor system for open or close the electric current due ur rooms

Answer 2

Get energy efficient appliances, especially fridge, stove, and washing machine. Get compact florescent light bulbs- they don't have to be dim! The ones my mother has are really bright.

Get a rain water catchment system. Get a more water efficient toilet, and shower head.

Unplug electronics that aren't in use- they use up a lot of energy just sitting there.

Answer 3

solar panels

Answer 4

Going green is easy, there are so many great resources about the subject. My personal favorite is "The Green Book" which has parts of its book online as well at www.readthegreenbook.com.

As I have been striving to "Go Green" I realize it is like stepping back in time without getting rid of my modern conveniences. I'm doing many things I learned as a child, like line drying my clothes, sweeping instead of vacuuming, opening the windows in the morning to catch the cool breeze, only buying what I need instead of everything that looks cool, growing some of my own food, and canning what I can't eat now.

To me "going Green" is a frame of mind. Do what fits your lifestyle and do the easy things first, it is a process and like dieting if you go to radical to soon, you are more likely to go back to bad habits. I also believe there are good, better, best choices in most things. If you aren't ready to start a home garden, then try finding a farmers market, until you locate one look for produce grown as close to home as possible and go organic when available.

Many people think "going green" is expensive, I disagree. Some changes may take an initial investment, but they usually have a short payoff time. Things like weatherstiping and insulation cost, but the energy savings will add up quickly. You may need to purchase reusable bags, but most stores give you a 5 or 10 cent credit, so you are paid back within a few months.

My top tips are make your home more energy efficient, that also means using natural light, cooling and heating.

Reduce your packaging, if you eat more fresh food you will generally reduce packaging, it's the same thing they tell dieters, shop the perimiter, that is where all the meat, dairy and produce are located. Only buy what you will use, many Americans throw away a lot of unused food. Buy in bulk, that doesn't just mean large packages, but that area with the bins that you buy only what you plan on using.

Replace disposable items with durable items, if you eat outside often and use disposable paper or plastic plates, it is a wise investment to purchase a set of reusable plastic plates. Replace disposable razors, diapers and cleaning products like swiffer. Avoid bottled water, get a home filter like Pur or Brita.

Recycle, www.earth911.org will help you locate the nearest recycle center. I try to only purchase plastics that are #1 or #2, they are more easily recycled. I also buy recycled products when available, that includes paper towels, napkings, toilet paper, tissue, school/office supplies and clothing.

Detox your cleaning, vinegar and baking soda clean almost anything, they can even losen a hair clog. Seventh Generation and Method are a couple mainstream brands that are very earth friendly.

Just start small and build from there, don't get overwhelmed.

Answer 5

I don't use flourescent bulbs for local lighting to read by.  I think they cause cancer over time. I buy, instead, low wattage incandescent bulbs.  15W without the soft white.  As long as you are not looking directly into that bulb, they are not that irritating and provide a more natural light, if you ask me and they are far cheaper and no mercury disposal problems.

Hang out your clothes..I agree.  In the winter hang them inside.  I made an inside clothesline.

We all need to start negotiating our energy bills and cable bills with the providers. They are getting out of hand!  The execs need a reality check!  If they want more money, they should be willing to allow all of us a piece of that pie.  Who the heck are they?

In the winter you can close off as much of your home as possible and keep that heat at about 50 degrees F.

Use a local heater in the room you are occupying.  It is healthy for you.

Turn off your dryer completely, unplug it.

I like some of the ideas I have seen and I do them already.

For cooling use an attic exhaust fan and shade the windows that are more exposed to sunlight during the day.  Make sure you have screens in all your windows.  Let the fresh air in and use an air purifier combined with a fan on low speed to cool down.

I don't use air conditioners either.   Wear shorts and short sleeves...

Answer 6

try solar panels.

I hear that's where the future is...

Answer 7

I installed CFL bulbs in my small 1 bedroom house 2 years ago, and my electric bill dropped $10 the first month.

I also install a dimmer switch in the bathroom where we needed a light on most of the evenings, and in that way we could turn the light down to a very minimum light and power usage, but at the same time had the capability of bright light when my wife needed it to do her makeup.

A whole hose fan in the attic will draw much of the heat out of the house and reduce the need for A/C.

Answer 8

Buy plants.

Answer 9

Just look around and turn off what you are not using is a good start.

Answer 10

  Turn your air conditioner back on and don't worry about it. There's no reason to be wasteful with our resources so if you can save energy for that resaon that's fine. But don't buy into the globulll warming hype. If it's happening it's the natural course of the planet not anything YOU are doing.

  Look at it this way, Al Gore has been trying for years to lower his carbon footprint. Despite everything he tries with all the resources and money he has his carbon footprint actually went up this year as opposed to last year. So if he can't do it then you're wasting your time.

  My A/C is on all day long because it makes me comfortable. If someone could prove to me that it's harmful and right now they can't then I'm not worried about it. You go ahead and live without A/C if you want. Why you're at it stop travelling around in cars.

  Also are you aware that everything we use practically is made from petroleum or oil. PLastics are derived from oil, try to get through your day without using something that doesn't have a plastic composite in it like your computer.  

Answer 11

Go out back, cut down a few trees, and spread the green leafs throughout your house, or maybe a few gallons of green paint.

Answer 12

checkout http://www.saferforyourhome.com

Answer 13

DoNT ANSWER e ROBERTS QUESTION DONT OG TO LINK ITS A TROJAN HORSE

Answer 14

I started using the newer light bulbs.  My energy bill went down some.  Turn you computer off at night.  

Also, I do not use chemicals.  I use baking soda and vinegar to clean.  I don't use shampoo, deodorant, etc.  Organic alternatives work fine.  For body products, try drbronners.com

For household cleaners, don't even use the Method, and GreenWorks.  They still have chemicals.  Use elbow grease and baking soda.  

Answer 15

The classics from the 70s (if not already done)

Insulate/turn down hot water tank

Insulate hot water pipes with foam tube

Add Insulation to attic/walls if possible

Attic Fan or ventilation in hot weather

chalk and weather strip windows and doors

Install exterior shades wherever sun shines directly into a window.

Get and use an automatic programmable thermostat to turn off  heat/air at night of when you are away

Use fluorescent lights

Upgrade appliances to at least energy star ratings

Replace inefficient windows with double pane energy star rated

Conserve water (low flow shower heads, drip irrigation etc.)

Recycle and compost everything you can. Think about product life cycle before purchasing and bringing it into your home.

Answer 16

Watch "Big ideas for a Small Planet" and "It's not easy being Green" on BBC. Also a new channel just came out called the Green channel. You could also get lots of houseplants, they help make the air inside your house healthier. Also buy environmentally friendly cleaners and paper goods. Another is to plant a small victory garden and grow some of your own veggies. Take cool showers too, tap water contains clorine and when you heat it up it actually dries out your skin and can cause breathing problems.