Simple Steps To Make Your Living Space Greener

Our Earth has taken care of us and nurtured our people since the beginning of days. Isn’t it time we give some of that love back?

A few simple steps to make your living space a little greener with not only benefit the environment and your family, but your pocketbook as well. Many tips on saving energy also save dollars, and can go far in the long run to help our planet be healthy.

Many of us already make a concerted effort to recycle paper, plastic and aluminum but that just isn’t enough to truly go green. Here are some ways we can start right now:

• Replace your regular light bulbs with CFLs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs may cost a smidgen more up front, but they use a lot less energy. By trading out the most readily used bulbs in your house, the savings is approximately $100 yearly. (If every family in the U.S. did this, the gas emissions would be reduced by one trillion pounds!)

• Go low-flow. Installing low-flow shower heads and faucets aerators in your home saves water without sacrificing water pressure. The low-flow units made today aren’t like the ones years ago that got such a bad rap; you’ll still enjoy your shower! Inexpensive and very available, your savings will be about $285 a year.

• Check your home for leaks. It’s easy to do. Just turn off all water using appliances and read your water meter. Wait about 30 minutes, and then read it again. If the numbers changed, you have a leak somewhere. Did you know a leaky toilet can waste up to 100 gallons of water a day?

• Plant a tree! Shade trees lower your cooling costs by 25%, provide oxygen for the environment and give small birds and animals a home. Properly placed trees and shrubs can also act as a natural windbreaker, shielding your home and reducing heating costs in cold weather.

• Go Florida-friendly with landscaping. Plants and other vegetation made for our state’s harsh conditions require lots less water and fertilizer to be hearty.

• Clean with the “green seal.” There are many choices out there now for natural, non-toxic household cleaners. They’re low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) and stamped with the Green Seal.

• Support green businesses. Whenever you can, buy fresh organic foods from your local farmer’s market. Select a dry cleaners or nail salon that uses only green compounds (Yes, they are out there!).

Of course, little things like programming your thermostat and changing air filters monthly also help out. For more tips on turning your home green, log on to energysavers.gov.

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