Tips for Saving the Environment

 

10 Really EASY & INEXPENSIVE things we can all do.

We can make a difference.

Homes comprise 21% of our carbon emissions.

Transportation comprises 33% of our carbon emissions.

Business contributes 17% of carbon emissions.

Industry produces 29% of carbon emissions.

We can be more energy efficient, save money, & reduce carbon emissions.

 

1.   Change your light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). 

Replacements for 60W, 75W, & 100W bulbs are easily found.  Walmart, Lowes, & Home Depot also carry spotlights and floodlights, but you may need to buy an adapter so they will fit.  The adapters are very inexpensive.  You can also change the old fluorescent tubing to CFL tubing, but you will need to change ballasts. 

Replacing just one bulb will save 150 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.  The life of a CFL is 5-7 years.  CFLs do not emit heat as the incandescents do. They must be disposed of properly as they contain mercury.  Home Depot will collect and dispose properly.

Dimmer switches for CFLs can be found at Walmart.

Try solar for outdoor lighting.  The lights are inexpensive and then they cost nothing to operate.

 

2.    Turn down the thermostat on your hot water heater.  Buy a hot water heater blanket.  The blanket costs approximately $20, available at Home Depot or Lowes.  You save both energy & money.

3.    Turn your thermostat up 2 degrees in summer and turn it down 2 degrees in winter.  Save on your utility bill.

 

4.    Turn off lights as you leave a room.  (Myth:  It takes more energy to turn on & off lights than to leave them on for short periods of time.)

 

5.    Turn off fans when you go out.  (Myth:  Fans cool your home.)  Fans do not cool.  Fans merely circulate air.  You do feel 4 degrees cooler from the fan’s breeze. 

6.    Weatherstrip & caulk around doors and windows.  Caulk holes around plumbing.  Your home will be more energy efficient.

7.    Recycle.  This one is so easy.  Every other week the City of Garland collects aluminum, plastic, & glass in the red bins.  Newspapers and magazines are picked up at the same time.  Every city has a program.

        Many public schools are beginning recycling programs and involving the community.

8.    Buy recycled products.  Save our trees by purchasing recycled paper products, particularly copy paper, paper towels, & toilet paper.  Shop Office Depot & Tom Thumb.

9.    If you have a choice, avoid products with a lot of packaging.  What a waste.

 

10. Vehicles:

Check the air in your tires.  Keeping tires inflated properly can improve gas mileage by more than 3%.                         .

Don’t sit & idle.  10% of all our fuel is wasted on idling.  After only 10 seconds, you use less gas to turn the ignition off.

 

Vehicles built in the last 3 years.  Some newer model cars and trucks are compatible with ethanol.  Check with your local dealership.

Spread the word.  Encourage your friends & family.

(For more info on making your home more energy efficient, see Green Building & Retrofits on this website.)