TIPS FOR LIVING GREEN

TIPS FOR LIVING GREEN

Well, it's official: the new black is green - living green, that is. New companies devoted to helping reduce folks' carbon footprint are springing up all over. Hybrid cars, renewed interest in recycling, eco-friendly business practices - all are devoted to cleaning up the nation's collective teenage bedroom. How can you jump on the eco-bandwagon? Read on to find out.
Fix any plumbing leaks - sinks, tubs, showers and toilets all should be inspected for drips and leaks. The tiniest drip can add up to a lot of wasted water.

• Better yet, install water-saving faucets, toilets - you can even buy conservational water pipes to replace your old plumbing.

• While you're at it, install a programmable thermostat to save energy.

• At least turn down the heat at night, during the day if no one is home and any time you leave the house.

• Use compact, long-life fluorescent light bulbs. They're more expensive, but they last several times longer than the old-fashioned kind.

• Many utility companies perform home energy audits for their customers. This will let you know where you're being wasteful, and where you can save energy and money.

• Your audit may point out that you need new or additional insulation. You may find that your windows and doors aren't as tight as you thought. Seal it all up with weather stripping and caulking. By preventing heat from escaping, you automatically reduce your energy consumption.

• Another place for insulation: your electric (NOT NATURAL GAS!) hot water heater as well as the pipes. Just make sure the insulation is no closer than six inches from the heater.

• During the winter, change the filter in your furnace every month. If the filter is allowed to collect dust, it will make your furnace work harder, use more energy and potentially shorten the life of this expensive appliance.

• Use non-toxic cleaning alternatives in your home, such as baking soda, vinegar, etc.

• No more plastic furniture - make sure your furnishings are constructed out of natural materials like wood, metal and glass.

• Read the labels of the items you're buying and avoid the use of polyvinyl chloride (also known as PVC or vinyl). It can creep up in toys, flooring, shower curtains, etc.

• Compost your food waste and use as nutrient-rich soil for your lawn.

• Cut down on paper products. Paper towels and napkins can be replaced with cloth rags and napkins.

• Bite the bullet and start depending on reusable items, such as water bottles, food containers, batteries, pens, razors, etc.

• Instead of going to a carwash or letting your garden hose run, wash your car when it rains - get out there with your chamois and your eco-friendly soap and have at it.

• Leave your car parked as often as possible. Ride your bike, walk or take public transportation. Even carpooling is better than riding alone when it comes to energy consumption.

• Whenever possible, think globally but buy locally. Transporting food across country uses up an obscene amount of fuel. An added bonus is that it's good for the local economy.

• Cut down on your battery usage. The hazardous waste created by the lead in batteries is a danger to the environment. Instead, use rechargeable or solar-charged batteries.

• Avoid products with excess packaging. Reward companies who use packaging sparingly.

• Stop using plastic bags! Plastic grocery bags are a quadruple whammy: they never decompose, they're hazardous to wildlife when they inevitably end up in their habitats, they're made from petroleum products and they can be a danger to the folks in your own household.

• Avoid the use of aerosols.

• Instead of lubricants containing solvents, use castor or mineral oils to lubricate switches and hinges.

• Use water-based latex house paints instead of oil or solvent-based paints.

• Be very mindful of what you throw away. Never dispose of paint, solvents, motor oil in your garbage can. Talk to your garbage collection company for proper disposal procedures of hazardous wastes.

• Never throw away a computer. The lead is a hazard to the environment. Most cities now have specialty companies that recycle computers. Look in your yellow pages under computer disposal.

• Instead of throwing away old books, donate them.

• Give last season's wardrobe to Goodwill or Salvation Army.

• Don't want your old photos and/or letters? Don't heap them on the landfill - donate them to your local historical society.

• Don't take that old dishwasher or refrigerator to the dump, donate it.

Energy Saving Tips for New Yorkers

By Cristina Callegari Kanellopoulos, REALTOR

It seems New York now has two seasons instead of four. This year we went straight from winter, right into summer! As a result, none of us were able to enjoy the lovely mild weather spring offers, and the money savings of not needing to run heat or air conditioning!

Many first-time home buyers ask, "How much does it cost to heat a home? What are typical electric bills for a home this size? What is cheaper, oil or gas?" Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to accurately answer this question, as the answer will largely depend on the USER, and how diligent they are about conserving energy, as well as the size of the home, and systems being used, just to name a few.

On the bright side, there are many things that a homeowner CAN do to lower their energy consumption, save money, and go Green in the process. Below, find some simple, easy to implement, and inexpensive tips that could wind up saving you money this year:

1. Unplug appliances that are not in use. Did you know that even if you are not using your toaster, or coffee maker, the simple fact that it is plugged into the outlet means that it is using electricity? The truth is appliances in stand-by mode are using almost as much energy as they do when in use. So unplug those cell phone chargers, lamps, hair dryers, etc. and SAVE!
2. Clean or Replace your AC filters. At the beginning of the summer season check all the AC filters in your house. Did you know that it will take longer to cool a room if the AC has a dirty, clogged filter? A clean filter will allow your air conditioner to work more efficiently. If you have Central Air get your ducts cleaned yearly. Not only will this save you money on electricity, but it is healthier for you to have clean air pumping through your home!
3. Check your windows. Buy window caulk at your local hardware store and seal your windows. This will prevent hot air from escaping during the winter, and cool air from escaping during the summer.
4. Buy Energy Star Rated Appliances. If you are on the market for a new refrigerator, microwave, washer, etc. buy an appliance that has a good Energy Star Rating. It may cost a little more than an appliance that is not as well rated, however, this simple act will save you much more money than the difference in price over your years of usage.
5. Program your thermostat. So many homeowners leave their thermostats on the HOLD setting, and this is a big money and energy waster. During the winter turn the heat down at least 8 degrees when no one is at home, and down again 4 degrees while you are asleep. During the summer turn the AC up 8 degrees when you are not at home, and up again 4 degrees while you are asleep.
6. Turn the lights off. So many folks are guilty of this. We turn the lights on all over the house, and forget to turn them off when we are not in the room. And, so many folks turn lights on during the day instead of opening the curtains.
7. Insulate your attic. One of the best ways to reduce energy costs is to insulate your attic. I have been told by contractors that insulating your attic generally pays for itself within 3 years. If you plan on living in your home longer than three years this certainly makes sense.
8. Take advantage of tax credits. If you are considering home improvements for energy efficiency you should do so before the end of 2010, as you can claim a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost up to $1,500 for new qualified windows, doors insulation, heating and cooling systems!
9. Air-dry your clothes. It may not always be practical, or possible to air dry your clothes, however, if you air dried just one load of laundry per week you could save a bundle on electricity costs. Visit http://www.laundrylist.org/ to learn more about the air drying movement.
10. Use a fan. Using a fan can make a room feel 4 degrees cooler, and if you use a ceiling fan in tandem with an air conditioner you can cool down a room much more quickly, and once cool can turn the AC off to help maintain the temperature.

Of course, there are many other ways to reduce your energy consumption like solar panels, geo-thermal energy, etc. However, this list is meant to be simple, cheap and every-day ways you can begin to reduce your energy bills.

Happy Saving New Yorkers!