Ways to conserve in my house....?

Question

.....plz

Answer 1

Raise the temperature on the AC in the summer and lower the heat in the winter. Use a timer when you're not home to save more. Unplug appliances when not in use.

Answer 2

The main rule is: if you aren't using it, turn it off.

After that, all else fades in comparison.

Answer 3

Well there are the basics to start with.

*Recycle everything you can from your home -- glass, aluminum, plastic, paper, etc.  This includes starting a composting pile in your backyard; everything from banana peels, to coffee grinds, to corn husks can go into this.

*Limit your energy usage and switch over to CFL light bulbs where you can.

*Look into ways and methods you can reduce your water usage.  It's amazing some of the basic steps you can take here.

*Plan ahead on the your transportation usage.  Combine all your errands into one run.  Use public transportation when possible.  Heck...bike everywhere!

*Look at what the ecosystem where you live use to me like -- try to restore your yard and grounds to that state.  This is great for the land and wildlife as well.

*Vote!

In the "bigger picture" you can also:

*Go solar for your homes energy needs.

*Get a hybrid vehicle.

*Go to work for an environmental organization.

*Start neighborhood programs or even run for a local office / council position.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, but I hope it gives you some ideas on where to start.

Good luck!  Let me know if I can help further and keep us posted.

Answer 4

Grow your own food.

Don't buy anything in a plastic container.

Allow your comfort range to adapt to the ambient temperature outdoors, as opposed to trying to make indoors always seem to be fall or spring.

Get a water-saving shower head.

Don't flush the commode for urinary matters.

Cook your food the way it came off the vine, out of the ground.  [as opposed to out of some plastic container].

Don't use a hair dryer.

Take cold water showers.

There's no mystery here.

I read somewhere recently that more than 98 percent of the US population under 40 years old has never eaten a single food item that came off a plant raised at home, or from an animal the person touched while it was alive.

Plastic is probably responsible for more human ills than the internal combustion engine.

Answer 5

Place a bottle of sand or brick in the back of the toliet. Even a little will help.

Answer 6

Admit it. Ya just dont know. Do ya.

Answer 7

use florescent light bulbs, i think thats what it is. and unplug everything that isnt in use. and or turn it off. unplugging it better. when you brush your teeth, don't keep the water running.

Answer 8

There's already a lot of info here but also try energy efficient lightbulbs. Good house insulation is also a good starting point.

Answer 9

Turn off lights when you leave a room, turn off the faucet when you don't need water, don't leave your cell phone/ ipod charger plugged into the wall when you're not charging them.  Plug your tv(s), DVD  players, stereos, playstation, printer, and computer(s) into a power strip(s) and turn off the power strip(s) when you're not using those electronic devices.  Only do full loads of laundry in the washing machine and full loads of dishes in the dishwasher.  Instead of setting the AC to 72, set it at 76-77 and keep the heat between 70 and 72 degrees in the winter.  Recycle glass, plastic, aluminum, paper, and cardboard if possible (go to your city's/town's website to find out if the facilities exist)  If you do these things (like I do) you should notice lower energy and water bills within the next couple of months.

Answer 10

make a compost heap

a general note on compost

bones,treetrunks,cardboard,egg... clothes(if they are organic),p**p,leaves,kitchen waste,foodscraps,newspaper,

kitty litter and even the dead cat

All can be put on the compost heap

as long as you seal it with a covering of leaves .or put a piece of plastic on top ,

keep it moist and in the shade ,it will then get hot enough to kill all parasites

the worms will devellop,and take care of everything ,the moisture helps decomposition

the plastic keeps in the moisture and protects the worms from predators .like chickens ,birds armadillos,and even dogs .i have seen going in to eat my worm culture

you could add a bit of lime now and again

to make the process more potent

HOW

make the compost in a shallow hole ,so that it retains more humidity,

about 2 square meters is good ,and have it under a tree or put a little roof over i t,which does not have to be water proof ,so a palm thatch is enough,

and makesure the garden sprinkler gets there or spray some water on it ,at least once a week,dont have it water logged or the worms will drown or leave

RECYCLING

Cardboard is also acceptable for recycling

so is glass if you classify it in colors,and

aluminium cans

and here are a 101 more Ways To Live More Ecologically,may be you find something that applies to you

1. Avoid disposable in favor of reusable

items.

2. Avoid drying rags in a clothes dryer.

3. Avoid power appliances when handpower works.

4. Avoid highly processed foods.

5. Avoid using styrofoam—it can't be recycled.

6. Avoid watering driveways and sidewalks.

7. Be responsible and creative with leftover foods.

8. Buy in bulk goods to reduce wasted packaging.

9. Buy energy efficient electric appliances.

10. Buy foods without additives.

11. Buy foods without preservatives.

12. Buy food and goods from sources you trust

13. Buy large quantities to reduce shopping trips.

14. Buy living Christmas trees.

15. Buy locally grown food and produce.

16. Buy organic, pesticide-free foods.

17. Compost your food scraps.

18. Discover and protect watersheds in your area,

19. Don't burn trash or other smoky materials.

20. Drain cooking grease onto paper bags, not paper towels.

21. Drive a fuel-efficient car.

22. Drive less: walk, bicycle, carpooland use public transportation.

23. Eat foods low on the food chain; avoid meat.

24. Eat more natural, nutritious foods.

25. Educate elected representatives on ecology.

26. Exercise regularly.

27. Explore and learn about your bioregion.

28. Grow your own food, even a small amount.

29. Hang dry some or all of your clothes.

30. Heat your home less and wear warmer clothes.

31. Heat your home more with renewable energies.

32. Hold a potluck dinner to discuss local ecology.

33. If you use a dishwasher, turn off the drying cycle.

34. Install a water-conserving device in your toilets.

35. Install a water-conserving showerhead.

36. Insulate your home to maximum efficiency.

37. Invest for social responsibility as well as profit.

38. Invest in solar power, where practical.

39. Invest in well-made, long-lived clothing.

40. Keep hazardous chemicals in safe containers.

41. Keep appliance motors well adjusted for efficiency.

42. Mend and repair rather than discard and replace.

43. Oppose meddling in ecological balance.

44. Oppose private development of special areas.

45. Oppose roadside use of defoliants.

46. Organize or join a neighborhood toy exchange.

47. Pick up litter along streets and highways.

48. Plant native trees and shrubs around your home.

49. Plant trees throughout your community.

50. Plant your living Christmas tree.

51. Practice preventive health care.

52. Practice responsible family planning.

53. Prepare only as much food as will be eaten.

54. Protect your favorite distinctive natural areas.

55. Purchase goods in reusable/recyclable containers.

56. Put a catalytic converter on your wood stove.

57. Put toxic substances out of reach of children.

58. Recycle aluminum.

59. Recycle glass.

60. Recycle newspaper.

61. Recycle old clothes.

62. Recycle plastic.

63. Recycle used motor oil.

64. Recycle your unneeded items.

65. Re-use paper bags.

66. Re-use plastic bags for storage and waste.

67. Save up for full loads in clothes washers.

68. Save up for full loads in dishwasher.

69. Shop by phone, then go pick up your purchases.

70. Speak out about your values in community groups.

71. Support efficient energy sources in your bioregion.

72. Support elected representatives on ecological issues.

73. Support energy conservation in your bioregion.

74. Support global ecological improvement efforts.

75. Support local credit unions.

76. Support local merchants before large chains.

77. Support neighborhood food cooperatives.

78. Support proper waste water and sewage treatment.

79. Support the cultural diversity in your bioregion.

80. Support the plants and animals in your community.

81. Take shorter showers.

82. Teach your children ecological wisdom.

83. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater.

84. Turn off the lights when not needed.

85. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.

86. Use biodegradable soaps and detergents.

87. Use cloth diapers.

88. Use cloth table napkins.

89. Use less tapwater whenever possible.

90. Use non-toxic pest control.

91. Use only medications you trust/understand.

92. Use rags or towels instead of paper.

93. Use rechargeable batteries.

94. Use the second side of paper for scratch paper.

95. Use water from cooking vegetables to make soup.

96. Volunteer for work in a community garden.

97. Volunteer to maintain local parks and wilderness.

98. Wash clothes in cold water.

99. Wash dishes in still, not running water.

100. Weather-seal your home.

101. Work to unlearn poor ecological habits.

http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/1996/ip960321...