November Green Tips - easy for everyone

1. Clean the dryer lint screen. This simple act not only reduces a potential fire hazard, it can decrease energy consumption by 30 percent. Every month or so, you should also clean it with a brush and soap and water. Don’t toss that lint ball collection either – you can compost it, use it as mulch, or take it on your next camping trip as a lightweight fire starter.

2. Put on a sweater. Bundling up in a blanket or putting on a sweater will allow you to lower your thermostat by two degrees. Doing so can save you about six percent on your heating bill.

3. Use a humidifier. Since our climate is so dry, it’s great for the skin and also good for reducing energy usage. Using humidifier can increase the heat index in your home, making 68 degrees feel like 74 degrees, and making it less likely you’ll turn up the heat.

4. Turn off the coffee. Pour fresh brew into a thermos or insulated decanter the next time you make a pot. Not only will your coffee taste less “burned” an hour later, you’ll save energy, too.

5. Get with the program. Program your thermostat to turn off the heat when you leave in the morning and turn on about a half hour before you come home. According to the Department of Energy, you can save around 10 percent a year by lowering your thermostat between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. If you don’t have one, they are easy to install and often cost less than $100. Many thermostats contain mercury switches; be sure to recycle it properly.

6. Replace furnace filters. One of the easiest things to do – replace your furnace filter monthly or quarterly depending on the filter type. A dirty filter resists airflow and makes your furnace work harder, lowering its efficiency.

7. Reuse old or unused bill envelopes. This may sound way too frugal, but if you’re an online bill payer yet still receive bills with return envelopes from some companies – reuse them! A lot of trees are cut down to make those envelopes and many just end up in the landfill. Free envelopes – what a deal!

8. Remove leaves the old fashioned way – with a rake! Spare your neighbors the noise and the environment the pollution from a gas-powered leaf blower. Get some exercise and pick up a rake. Did you know hundreds of U.S. towns have banned leaf blowers? It’s a relatively small device with a big pollution punch.

9. Compost your leaves or use them as mulch. If you don’t have a compost pile, try the Rooney Ranch compost facility that accepts leaves and branches for a small fee http://www.a1organics.com/facilities.html. Or check with your local township – some may have leaf drop-off dates.

10. Don’t go soft. Fabric softeners, both dryer sheets and liquids, contain large amounts of chemicals that can be toxic to you and your family (like formaldehyde!). Toss a quarter cup of white vinegar in the washer during the rinse cycle for added softness, or put a few drops of essential oils on a washcloth and toss it in the dryer with your wash for a nice scent.