Date Posted: 2012-05-22 03:40:08
Site Posted: Myproperty.ph
We are all conscious of the need to conserve energy and be greener these days. We understand the consequences of over consumption and wastefulness and of using materials that are not sustainable. But what are the best and most effective ways of achieving a green lifestyle? Here are 10 top tips.
1) Turn down your thermostat regularly. There’s a good reason for doing this. You can cut energy costs by around four percent, simply by lowering the heat in your house by one degree.
2) If you have ceiling fans in your home - use them in both summer and winter. This is because by reversing the direction of the fan’s blades, you are allowing warm air to be pushed down into the room, which of course will keep it warmer in the winter months.
3) Use appliances that have been rated as energy efficient by the authorities. Most countries have a body that rates appliances. In the US, for instance, it is Energy Star It’s reckoned that if you used a modern Energy Star fridge rather than an old 1990s model, you’d save enough electricity to light your home for more than four and a half months.
4) Always repair leaks. Experts say that a single drop falling from a leaky tap can lead to you wasting up to 10 gallons of water every week.
5) Fit your home out with ‘low flow’ taps, toilets and shower heads. These will help reduce your water consumption dramatically, as well as cutting the cost of heating water by up to half. In America it’s reckoned that if all households used ‘low flow’ fittings, they’d save a staggering $11.3 million every day.
6) Use natural fiber carpets, rugs and curtains. Cotton and wool products are free of toxins such as pesticides and chemical cleaners so are better for the environment at home.
7) Use flooring made from renewable materials like bamboo, a fast-growing plant that needs no replanting or fertilization.
8) Pick woods for your furniture that come from sustainable and managed forests. Composite woods can contain chemicals such as formaldehyde and can even be harmful to your health.
9) Use biodegradable products as much as possible. Always ask yourself whether an item can be reused or recycled. If not, don’t buy it.
10) Always recycle packaging and be careful when disposing of potentially harmful items like paint cans which can contaminate the water supply and the ground.
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