The majority of Americans are searching for ways to save money so they can begin to rebuild their savings that they lost. Others are looking for ways to cut expenses so they can make ends meet each month. Regardless of the reason you are trying to save money, here are some easy ways to save money by going green.
Save on Electricity
One of the simplest ways to cut back on electricity is to make sure that all of the lights are turned out in the house when someone is not using them. Once the lights need to be turned on in the evening, ask the entire family to congregate in one room so that fewer lights will be used. Turn down electric water heaters twenty degrees. This will still supply sufficient hot water, but it will save considerably on electricity.
Replace the traditional light bulbs in your home with the new CFL light bulbs. There are new designs that look nice in any style of light fixture. According to thedailygreen.com, “if every American home replaced just one incandescent bulb with a standard CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year and more than $600 million in annual energy costs.”
People do not realize how much electricity is wasted with their computers. Set your computer on hibernate mode if it is not used for 10 minutes. Turn it off completely if it is not going to be used for more than an hour. At night, unplug them completely from the electrical outlet so they will not pull small amounts of electricity during the night.
Dryers cost a considerable amount to use. Save them for times when the weather does not permit you to dry your clothes outside. Hanging clothes out to dry will not only save you money, but your clothes will be fresh smelling when you bring them in. It will also give you an opportunity to be outside in the fresh air.
Save on Water
Put a limit on how much water should be placed in the tub for a bath, and limit the amount of time each family member can be in the shower. Shower heads that mix air with water are a good way to cut back on water usage as well. Fix all leaky faucets immediately.
Make sure the water is turned completely off each time a faucet is used. A great way to conserve water in your bathrooms is to put a 2 quart soda bottle filled with water inside of the toilet tank. This will save on the amount of water that is used each time the toilet is flushed.
Save on Cleaning Supplies
Most cleaning supplies that are sold in the stores are loaded with chemicals that can damage your health or the health of your pets. Instead of purchasing supplies from the store, learn to make your own. Use white vinegar and baking soda to do most of your cleaning. For some natural cleaning recipes, take a look at www.thedailygreen.com/green-cleaning.
Save on Paper
Stop using paper plates and cups. Even though they are easier to use, it means more trees are needed to make more. Use both sides of the paper when you use your printer. Save any paper with mistakes for unimportant printing, cut it into squares for notes or save it for the children to draw on or cut up.
Ask your bank to send your statements to you by email instead of sending paper statements through the mail. This saves time, paper and ultimately trees. Recycle newspapers and cardboard so it can be used again.
By changing your mindset and the way you do things, you can save a considerable amount of money. Add a little more effort, and you can go green while you do it. Try these easy ways to save money by going green, and watch your savings grow.
Resources:
www.thedailygreen.com