We’ve started our efforts to go green in my office by recycling. One person asked if I have tips for going green at home, so I wanted to share with you what we’ve done at home so far and what we’re planning to do.
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We’ve changed out all our lightbulbs for the 5-year, energy-efficient bulbs. In fact, we started this exactly five years ago. I know because I just changed one of the long-lasting bulbs last night and when I removed the old one, I discovered my husband had written the date he put it in: June 11,
20032001. That bulb lastedjust short of fivealmost 7 years. (I got the year wrong!!) -
I’ve started saving my plastic bottles for recycling.
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As I recycle the water bottles, instead of dumping leftover water down the sink, I’m watering my plants with them.
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Turn out all lights when room is empty.
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Changed thermostat to 70 in winter and 72 in summer. I know I should go to 68 in winter, but with an elderly mother-in-law at home who is always cold, I just can’t go lower than that for her sake.
Future Plans
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Clean out garage and bring in at least three recycling bins: plastics, paper, glass.
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Save dryer lint for birds to use to build nests.
I know there will be much more to come… these are really baby-steps for us. Wish us luck!
3 responses so far ↓
Nashveggie // March 20, 2008 at 9:32 am |
Great to see someone making green efforts!
On the dryer lint, from Cornell:
“What about dryer lint? Some people include this as suitable bird nesting material. Others recommend against it because it is porous and dries out poorly if it’s rained on in the nest. Still others warn that wet dryer lint dries into a hard mass, providing poor nest insulation, however this may happen only if it contains laundry detergent or fabric softener residue. More information is needed before we can recommend offering dryer lint.”
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/attracting/other_attract/nest_material
Also, advised against here:
http://www.wild-bird-watching.com/Nesting-Materials.html
Kathy T. // March 20, 2008 at 9:38 am |
Oh crud! Maybe I’ll just save my dryer lint and use it for camp fire starters when I take my Girl Scouts camping!
North Georgia Mountain Cabins // March 20, 2008 at 4:42 pm |
I think you should change the temps to 72 in winter and 75 for summer and consider wearing a sweater in winter and lighter clothing in summer. Check the temperture setting on hot water heater. Have the Electric company do a free energy check and they can make recommendations for the house and offer coupons to companies who participate to have the work done. Closing blinds during summer months on South and West side of the house. You be surprised how many things run when you think they are off. It’s called phantom power. Cell phone chargers, computers the best thing to do is unplug them. Doing wash in the evening not in the day. Using drought tolerant plants in yard and catch rain water in barrels to feed plants add a drip line to the tub.
There are so many ways we can green a house cleaning products, reusable bags when buying, car pooling. Good luck and try to implement one each week. Together we do make a difference.