I thought it would be a good idea, being that we are beginning a new year, to review the categories of conservation that Greening Neighborhoods recommends for saving money, reducing unnecessary waste of our natural resources, and lowering our carbon footprint.
1) First on the list, and the best way to save money, is by using alternative transportation.
Take public transportation, ride our bikes for errands, car pool, and when we buy a new car get one that gets good mileage. The average American drives 36 miles a day to and from work. By ride sharing with one other person we can save over $4,000 a year on wear and fuel. We would reduce our yearly carbon footprint by 3,600 pounds of CO2. Resource: Clean Air Campaign
2) Reduce heating and cooling bills by insulating our attic, cutting off air leaks at doors, windows and pipe holes in the walls.
Many contractors recommend 16 inches of fiberglass insulation, or R 50. There are a number of rebates available for adding insulation. Most neighbors who have added at least R 30 insulation and have sealed air leaks have reported savings from 40 to 60% on their gas and electric bills. Resource: NRG SVRS Resource: Energy Conservation Solutions
3) Reduce water consumption. This is easy and inexpensive to do.
Low flow faucets and shower heads are inexpensive and can cut water use by 1/2 when they are installed.
For $20.00 kits are available at hardware and building supply stores to convert older toilets to water saving duel flush toilets.
The 300 gallon water container in the background costs around $75 and will capture roof runoff for watering our gardens and lawns. Most homes that water lawns and gardens using treated municipal water will double their water bills in summer months. This water is free.
An added bonus is by collecting rain water we reduce storm water runoff that enters our sewers and causes flooding and pollution. Resource: lew@greeningneighborhoods.com
4) We can lower our electric bills by switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs or LED lights.
We can get into the habit of switching off lights when we leave the room. If that technique fails we can buy an inexpensive motion detector that does it for you.
We can set the water heater temperature to a lower level. We can buy Energy Star appliances that have the best ratings.
5) Improve indoor air quality.
We have abundant opportunities to buy toxic chemicals used in commercial cleaning products, home repair building materials, and even cosmetics. Federal labeling is improving so we can see what’s in the products we buy. To make sure we know what’s in the products we use, we can always make our own products like the window cleaner shown here, which is made from water, vinegar and a bit of liquid soap. The benefits are not immediate savings, but future savings through lower health costs. Resource: Greening Neighborhoods
6) Buy local, plant a garden.
Meats and produce bought from farmers’ market are fresher, shipped locally, and the money we spend stays in the local economy.
And, if the farmer markets are near by, we can walk to market.
Resource: Farmers Markets
7) Recycle
Recycling paper, plastic, metal waste means that is not waste at all, but raw material to be used again. It means that tons of materials are kept out of landfills reducing the release of methane gas, a contributor to green house gases and global warming.
Resource: City of Atlanta
Control solar heat gain
This can be done in a number of ways. The least expensive is by adding a high quality film on the inside window face. If it is in your budget replacement windows can be triple pane with the sun blocking film within the glazing itself.
When it time to replace shingles we need to get the kind that reflect sunlight (and heat) so we don’t have to spend extra money cooling the heat absorbed by dark colored shingles. Resource: Greening Neighborhoods Resource: Cool Roof Calculator
Greening Neighborhoods wishes you a healthy, prosperous, green new year.
