Easy as 1-2-3! August 3, 2011

Okay, so most people just want to know what they can do to “Go Green” that’s quick and easy and actually effective.  I’m not going to tell you to go purchase a hybrid vehicle (well around 20-30K!), or to put solar panels on your roof (although it’s a great thing to have on your home out here in So. Cal — it’s NOT easy), or to only purchase local and organic products… those items are way overpriced most of the time, and I’m not Leo Dicaprio over here! I don’t have money to just play around with like paper dolls!

so… what are the easy suggestions that will not only make your space a little greener, but will also help your pocket book a little bit too?

Well, all good things come in threes…

Here’s the Green Scene:

Green Step Number 1 – And Then There Was Light!!

One of the simplest things to do is to change out your light bulbs. If you are still using those incandescent light bulbs, you are the in the dark ages baby. Halogen and LED are the green way to go. LED takes the LEaD as far as more bang for your buck: They use less energy, they radiate less heat, and they last a lot longer… but they are going to be about 5-10x more expensive than your average Halogen.  But I promise, either one is much better than the incandescents your using. Have you been living under a ROCK!!?? Change those babies out!! … “but, I have dimmers!!”  … meh, they have dimming capable LEDs and Halogens.

Green Step Number 2 – Become a Vampire Slayer  … 

Okay… I mean an Energy Vampire Slayer. All those appliances and electronics you leave plugged in all day and night are sucking the energy out of your home like Taylor Lautner sucks the good acting out a film. Did you know you’re using about 60 to 100 kilowatt hours a month on appliances and electronics that you leave plugged in when not in use? These are common things like:

• TVs
• Cable
• Stereos
• Coffee Makers
• Microwaves
• Computers and Printers
• Phone Chargers

Now, it’s true… each of these items don’t individually take that much, but when you start to put everything together, it adds up! Now, it’s not going to save you that much money, roughly about 8-14$ on your next electricity bill; BUT! if I can pull on your green little heart strings… if you can reduce by 50-100 kilowatts hours a month, you’d be reducing your CO2 emissions by 900 to 1800 pounds a year!

Green Step Number 3 – It’s Too Darn Hot!!!

Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you to turn off your AC and stew in your sweat and tears… that would just be gross. I’m talking about something much simpler and less painful… Your LAUNDRY!! Unless you have a washer and dryer from the 80s, you are able to get perfectly clean and fresh clothes using only the COLD water setting that even the crazies from Jersey Shore would be proud to wear. By using only the cold setting you will be saving approximately 60-100$ a year in electricity bills, and you’ll be saving approximately 70-80lbs of CO2 emissions a month. I will admit, there are those tough stains like oil, grease, and blood that need the heat to lift. In those instances I suggest doing a hand soak in a small amount of hot water and detergent before adding it to the main load.

With these three easy and quick steps that you can do today you will be Going Green, Saving Money, and Smelling Fresh all at the same time!

Everyone is a little different, and we all have our habits… but these small changes don’t hurt, and there’s no difference in quality of life. Makes sustainability a little more… sustainable.

LynZe.