Ways to Save The Environment - In Your Home

Clean or replace air filters on your air conditioning unit at least once a month. If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms. Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120. Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket. Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods. Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time. Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5 . When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door. Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load so that it uses less energy. Unplug seldom used appliances. Use a microwave when- ever you can instead of a conventional oven or stove. Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot. Reverse your indoor ceiling fans for summer and winter operations as recommended. Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use. Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old refridgerators, for example, use up to 50 more electricity than newer models. Only use electric appliances when you need them. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy. Keep your thermostat at 68 in winter and 78 in summer. Keep your thermostat higher in summer and lower in winter when you are away Insulate your home as best as you can. Install weather stripping around all doors and windows. Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work. Plant trees to shade your home. Shade outside air conditioning units by trees or other means. Replace old windows with energy efficient ones. Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible. Connect your outdoor lights to a timer. Buy green electricity - electricity produced by low - or even zero-pollution facilities (NC Greenpower for North Carolina - www.ncgreenpower.org). In your home-reduce toxicity.

Eliminate mercury from your home by purchasing items without mercury, and dispose of items containing mercury at an appropriate drop-off facility when necessary (e.g. old thermometers). Learn about alternatives to household cleaning items that do not use hazardous chemicals. Buy the right amount of paint for the job. Review labels of household cleaners you use. Consider alternatives like baking soda, scouring pads, water or a little more elbow grease. When no good alternatives exist to a toxic item, find the least amount required for an effective, sanitary result. If you have an older home, have paint in your home tested for lead. If you have lead-based paint, cover it with wall paper or other material instead of sanding it or burning it off. Use traps instead of rat and mouse poisons and insect killers. Have your home tested for radon. Use cedar chips or aromatic herbs instead of mothballs.