10 Green Tips for Your Car

Go Green in 2014: Week 51

When you think of "going green" and your car, what do you think of? I'm guessing a few of the below ten tips come to mind, but do you always implement these practices? I will admit, I don't always, but I want to be better about reducing fuel consumption and polluting less...and potentially saving some money. Who can argue with that?

When I started writing this post, I had forgotten that I previously wrote a post about going green by driving less. Find it here:

Go Green by Driving Less

But that's not the only way you can implement green automobile practices into your life. Let's take a look at ten ways you can go green with your car (admittedly, a lot of the tips involve driving less).

1. Drive a green car. No, I don't mean the color green...unless that's actually what you want. ;) This may not be feasible in the immediate future, but when it's time to buy a new vehicle, consider getting a hybrid or an electric car. Hybrids now come in various sizes, big and small.

2. Drive less and walk more. It may be difficult now that it's winter and oh-so-cold in many places, like South Dakota, where I am. But when you are able, choose walking, rollerblading, or bike riding to places nearby. Plus, it's a great way to get fit!

3. Use cruise control. You could get 15% better gas mileage just by doing so.

4. Batch errands to reduce driving. I hate making trips to the store, so I try to wait until I can run several errands at once - although, it doesn't always work out that way!

5. Maintain your vehicle. By keeping your car in top shape, you will not only burn less gas and keep pollution to a minimum, but you will have less mechanical trouble down the line.

6. Telecommute or carpool. Wouldn't it be great to work from home? If your job is one that could be done from home, consider pitching the idea to your company. Or carpool to work and various events with someone who lives nearby.

7. Use green driving practices. Drive the speed limit and avoid sudden starts or jerky stops for the best fuel economy.

8. Drive part of the way. Then take your bike or public transit the rest of the way.

9. Limit AC use. Open the windows or use a small personal fan when you are able. Park in a shady area and use a reflective windshield shade to keep your car cool when parked.

10. Go to the car wash. Believe it or not, car washes are much more efficient with water than washing your car at home.

What are some ways you have gone green with your car? How do you limit the amount of driving you do? Please share your experiences in the comments section below!

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Marcelo Campi

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Your challenge: This week, consider the above ten ways to go green with your car, and try to implement as many as you can into your daily life.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Green Holiday Gift Shopping Ideas

Go Green in 2014: Week 47

The holidays are coming up quickly, and you may be wondering how you can go green with your gift giving....

Although I've hardly begun my shopping, I have been trying to come up with some ideas to lessen my environmental impact once I get started. Following are a few things I have done in the past, as well as some new ideas for this year's holiday gifts.

1. Support local shops. Shopping locally is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint because it helps conserve resources, such as those related to transportation. Plus, you will be helping to support the local economy.

2. Make your own holiday gifts. "Doing it yourself" is not only a great way to conserve resources, but it's usually pretty inexpensive and much more personal. In my experience, people tend to appreciate handmade gifts much more than generic, store-bought items.

3. Shop for gifts made with recycled materials. There are all kinds of neat gift items that are made with recycled materials, such as flip flop doormats, recycled metal jewelry and wall art, reclaimed wood furniture, and so on. You could even combine ideas 1 and 2, and make your own recycled material holiday gifts.

4. Give away seed packets. Seed packets are a great way to help someone become more eco-friendly, whether they are for flowers, veggies, or herbs. If you want to take it a step further, you could give potted herbs, perhaps to someone who enjoys cooking.

5. Buy gift cards to local stores. Gift cards are great because they are small, and the recipients can then buy whatever they like. This greatly reduces waste (have you ever received something that ended up collecting dust for several years before you finally gave it away or sold it in a garage sale?).

6. Give reusable cloth napkins or "unpaper" towels. Someone who goes through a lot of paper towels, such as someone with kids or pets, might appreciate the monetary savings associated with reusable napkins. Learn more here. Cloth sandwich and snack baggies are also a great idea.

7. Shop for non-toxic toys for kids. Wooden toys may be safer than plastic ones, because plastic often contains toxic chemicals - however, if the wood is painted, do your research to be sure it is non-toxic. Learn about three chemicals that could be in your child's toys.

8. Purchase dryer balls or soap nuts as gifts. Instead of dryer sheets or fabric softener, I use wool dryer balls to soften my laundry. Soap nuts, which come from the soapberry tree, are also a great gift idea for someone who might be interested in switching to a more green detergent alternative.

9. Make sure gifts are practical or useful. If you're not sure someone will use your gift, maybe you should reconsider it. Items that go unused are wasteful, so if you really don't know someone very well, consider simply asking what they want or need.

10. "Wrap" gifts in reusable bags. You will likely want to wrap your gift, whether it's green or...not so much. Reusable cloth bags are useful because they have so many purposes: grocery shopping, traveling, or just storing certain items (I like keep my yarn in a reusable bag for easy transportation).

What are some ways you have gone green with holiday gift giving? How do you plan to do so this year?

Photo courtesy of Flickr / FutUndBeidl

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Disclosure: This post may contain some affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, if you haven't already, start your holiday gift list with as many green and environmentally-friendly items as you can come up with.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Switching to Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

Go Green in 2014: Week 45

My husband and I bought new light fixtures for our dining room and living room last weekend, so we have been working on installing them. It's exciting! Our old fixtures were, well, old. I'll admit, there have been a few setbacks, but in the end, I love having updated lighting.

Now, the light fixtures themselves aren't necessarily "green" or "not green". It's the type of light bulbs you use that really matters.

Why switch to energy efficient light bulbs
 
An energy efficient bulb might cost you a little more upfront, but they will save you money and electricity in the long run. Besides, the incandescent bulb is becoming more obsolete, thanks to a 2007 U.S. law (Energy Independence and Security Act) that was set into effect to phase them out. Since we moved into our house, we have been slowly switching to energy efficient bulbs as the old ones burn out.

Now that we have covered the reasons to switch out your lighting, let's take a look at the different options we have.

Types of energy efficient light bulbs

You probably envision those curly-cue light bulbs when you think of energy efficiency, but they aren't the only option.

1. CFL. Compact fluorescent lights (the curly bulbs you might be picturing) are pretty inexpensive and come in a variety of sizes to fit various fixtures; they also come in warm and natural hues, so you aren't stuck with that cold, bluish tinge in your living room. They do contain a small amount of mercury, which isn't a problem when handled correctly.
2. LED. Light emitting diodes are durable and have a long life span; you could get up to 11 years on continuous (24 hours per day) operation from them. They do tend to have a lower, more direct output, though, so they may be better for certain applications than others.
3. Halogen. Most people don't think of halogen when they think of energy efficiency, but they use less energy than an incandescent bulb and they are great for specific applications. Halogen lighting is a favorite in art galleries or in a reading area where it reduces eye strain. Like incandescent bulbs, however, halogen generates heat, which could potentially cause damage in the surrounding area.

What type of lighting do you have in your home?

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Your challenge: This week, consider moving to energy efficient light bulbs as the old ones need to be replaced.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Ways to Conserve Energy While Heating and Cooling the Home

Go Green in 2014: Week 40

Where I live, temperatures have been dropping quickly, and we have already had to turn on the heat. It certainly won't be long before winter arrives!

As you've surely noticed, energy bills can get quite a bit higher in the summer and winter, when we run the air conditioning and heat more often. At least, that's the case here. One of the bad things about living in a larger house is the cost of heating and cooling it. Fortunately, there are several ways you can save money and energy while heating and cooling the home.

Heating the home

Following are a few ways to conserve energy while heating your home in the winter.

1. Keep the thermostat at 69 degrees. Rather than turning up the heat when it gets cold, and turning it down when it gets hot, keep it at a steady, slightly low temperature. It takes a lot of energy to re-heat the house once it cools down. Yes, sometimes it gets a little cool in our house, but I just keep lots of blankets around!
2. Cover older, drafty windows with heavy curtains. Standing next to certain windows in our house, I can feel a cold draft coming in, which means the furnace will have to work harder to maintain the heat. Heavy curtains can definitely help keep the cold out. In my dining room, I actually have sheer spring curtains, which I switch out for heavier draperies in the fall and winter.
3. Leave the oven door open after baking. I know it doesn't really help heat the house a ton, but it makes more sense to release the warm air into the kitchen, rather than trapping it inside the oven.

Cooling the home

Here are some ways to conserve energy while cooling your home in the summer.

1. Keep the thermostat at 72 degrees. Or, if you have a window air conditioning unit, try to avoid running it at a higher speed or cooler temperature than you really need. Face fans toward open windows to blow the warm air out.
2. Open windows during the coolest times of the day. Then close them, as well as the curtains or blinds, to block out the sun and heat during the hottest part of the day.
3. Cook during cooler times of the day. Or, come up with meal ideas that require minimal to no cooking (how about grilling outside instead?). The stove and oven can really heat up the house in the summer.

When it comes to conserving energy while heating and cooling your home, it is important to make sure your home is sealed against the elements. That may mean replacing old windows with newer models. It may mean insulating and caulking where needed.

What are some methods you use to conserve energy while heating and cooling the house? Have you considered installing solar panels?

Photo courtesy of Flickr / Michael Coghlan

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Your challenge: This week, begin incorporating natural home heating or cooling methods into your daily life.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Why & How to Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances

Go Green in 2014: Week 33

Today's homes are conveniently equipped with various large appliances, including a refrigerator, stove, oven, washer and dryer, computers, and more. My husband and I were lucky when we bought our house because it came with all these things, minus the washer and dryer. The downfall of all this convenience is the energy that it takes to run them.

According to Eartheasy.com, the average home actually causes more air pollution than the average car. This is because much of the energy we use in our homes comes from power plants, which burn fossil fuel to power our electric products. Burning fossil fuels causes air pollution and contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming (source).

Fortunately, almost all new appliances today are more energy efficient than those of the past. If you have older models in your home, they are very likely using a lot more energy than a newer one would.

Are you in the market for a new appliance of some type? Let's discuss why it's a good idea to choose energy-efficient appliances, how to find them, and a few more appliance tips for saving energy (and money).

Why choose energy efficient appliances

As I already mentioned above, appliances are a huge source of pollution - not to mention the money it costs to run them.

1. Less pollution. We can help improve the air quality by choosing energy-efficient appliances.
2. Reduced energy bills. Because they use less energy, our energy bills will be smaller.
3. Government rebates. By purchasing an energy-efficient appliance, you could get a government rebate, which will help pay for the somewhat higher purchase price.
4. Less water use. Many newer appliances also use less water, saving you money on your water bill, as well.

How to find energy efficient appliances

First, look for appliances that are the appropriate size for your space. Consider the purchase price, as well as the estimated energy use; often, you will save more money on energy use when you buy a more expensive model. Read the yellow energy guide label and look for the Energy Star logo. Energy Star is the symbol for energy-efficient appliances, created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in an effort to help consumers save money and minimize air pollution.

Types of energy efficient appliances

The Energy Star logo can be found on numerous energy-efficient appliances, and those with this logo are significantly more efficient than the minimum government standards. Here are some of the appliances that are Energy Star rated, along with some tips for further minimizing your energy usage.

Refrigerator

1. Fill empty freezer space to minimize the amount of space that needs to be kept cold. Take empty jugs and fill them with water to help fill this space.
2. Vacuum the coils in the back of the refrigerator to maximize energy efficiency.
3. Wait until food has mostly cooled down before putting it into the refrigerator or freezer.

Stove/Oven

1. Choose the burner that is closest to the size pot you are using. If it's too large, energy will be wasted.
2. Use lids on pots so you can cook on a lower temperature setting.
3. Turn the oven off a few minutes before food is done cooking, and let it finish the job with the heat that is already in the oven.
4. Make sure the oven door is sealed tight to avoid losing heat and wasting energy.

Washer/Dryer

1. Wash larger loads of laundry less frequently to save water and energy.
2. Use cold water to wash clothing whenever possible. Darker items can usually be washed in cold water, as well as anything that is lightly soiled.
3. Clean dryer lint after each use to improve efficiency - and to avoid a fire hazard.
4. Whenever possible, dry laundry on a clothesline or clothes rack. It even helps to cut your dry cycle ten minutes short and let the laundry finish air drying.

Dishwasher

1. Avoid unnecessary rinsing before placing dishes in the machine; many modern dishwashers are actually more efficient when dishes are scraped but not rinsed before running a cycle.
2. Run the dishwasher only when you have a full load.
3. If possible, look for a model with an "air dry" option, which uses circulation fans.

Air Conditioner

1. Keep leaves and debris off the air conditioning using to maximize efficiency.
2. Clean the filter screen frequently.
3. Utilize ceiling fans, which enables you to adjust the air conditioning by 3-6 degrees, saving you money on cooling the home.

Water Heater

1. Lower the settings on your water heater, finding the lowest setting that supplies you with enough hot water.
2. Insulate your water heater to save money while getting more hot water.

Computer

1. Turn off the computer when it is not in use. Consider using a power strip for all your home office devices so you can turn them all off with once click of a button.
2. Use a laptop rather than a desktop when possible; laptops use about half the energy a desktop computer consumes.

Do you have energy-efficient appliances in your home? What are your favorite tips for reducing energy usage and saving money?

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Your challenge: This week, consider any appliances you might need in the future and start researching energy efficient brands.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

How & Why You Should be Filtering Your Tap Water

Go Green in 2014: Week 32

Caroline Bach / https://www.flickr.com/photos/carolinebach/

Your daily shower (or bath) may seem harmless, and many of us even enjoy taking a nice, hot shower. But did you know that the water contains chlorine to kill bacteria and microorganisms? This is great, except for the fact that when you soak your body in warm water, your pores open, making you susceptible to absorbing the chlorine through the largest organ in your body - your skin. In fact, you absorb more chlorine in one minute in the shower than you do by drinking eight glasses of the same water (source).

Chlorine can cause skin and eye irritation, in addition to drying out the hair and scalp. The good news is that you can filter out the chlorine and toxic chemicals with a simple shower or bath filtration system.

There are also various ways you can filter your drinking water to minimize the chlorine and anything else that might be lurking in it. Let's start by going over bath and shower filter ideas, then move on to filtering your drinking water.

Filtering shower and bath water

By filtering your water, you will likely have softer, smoother skin and silkier hair. You won't be absorbing harmful toxins, and certain shower heads might even reduce the amount of water that is wasted.

A cheap option is to get the Sprite SL-CM Slim-Line Universal Shower Filter; you just need to replace the cartridge every six months. This should work with your regular shower head.

To filter bath water, whether you have kids or just enjoy taking a relaxing bath, you might try a bath ball. I've read mixed reviews on a few different brands, but if you do a little more research that I have so far, you might find something worth trying.

Filtering your drinking water

I rarely drink tap water anymore, unless I don't have any other options. We used to use the Brita pitchers with a built-in filtering system, but the house we bought has a refrigerator filtering system, so we no longer need to refill the pitchers every couple days. In addition to these options, you can also buy a filter that connects directly with the faucet, directly filtering your tap water. No matter which option you choose, it is essential to replace the cartridge within the recommended amount of time to make sure you always have clean drinking water.

It is pretty inexpensive to install a faucet filter. Here's a good option.

What is your favorite brand or type of water filter? Have you noticed any benefits since you started filtering the tap water?

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**Disclosure: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Your challenge: This week, consider replacing your shower head with a "greener" option, as well as filtering your drinking water.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**

Green Challenge: Unplugging the Microwave

Go Green in 2014: Week 16

Jason V / https://www.flickr.com/photos/jmv/

Unplugging the microwave...and other household appliances

This past week, my challenge was to unplug the microwave and to find alternative ways to cook and reheat all of our food - then to decide whether it was worth it.

First, let's go over how the week went:

Not long after unplugging the microwave, I needed (wanted?) to warm up a cup of coffee. I walked straight to it before remembering that it wasn't plugged in. In an attempt to creatively reheat my coffee, I ran another small cup through the Keurig using the same K-cup (Yeah, I know, K-cups are not very green. I'll tackle that problem later.). It was a little watery, but it worked. The coffee was at least a little warmer.

A couple days later, Dan went to the microwave to heat up some bacon for breakfast. Unfortunately, he had to waste a clean pan to fry it up on the stove instead. Throughout the week, we have had to cook our veggies on the stove and either bake our main dishes in the oven on throw them on the grill. I ended up reheating all my leftovers in the oven.

All in all, it is definitely possible to live without a microwave - people did it for a long time before their invention!

If you don't have a microwave, read this article I wrote on How to Survive without a Microwave.

What are the benefits of unplugging the microwave?

*Some people are concerned about losing nutrients by cooking food in the microwave. From what I have read, it doesn't seem to have a profound effect. Vegetables will lose some nutrients no matter how they are cooked; the key is to avoid overcooking them. However, it's up to you to decide whether you feel comfortable using the microwave or not.

*You can save a little money by keeping it unplugged. It's not a significant amount, even when on standby. However, if you find yourself able to keep it unplugged all the time, every penny saved is an extra penny in your pocket. On the other hand, you will need to use other sources of energy to heat up your food.

*You might be concerned about the radiation emitted by microwaves. Some research suggests that there may be a link between microwave radiation and cancer, while other studies cannot find one. If you can live without it, all the better for you.

Sure, I can live without a microwave. But we will be plugging ours back in simply because it does save a lot of time when reheating leftovers at lunchtime on workdays. Still, I tend to lean toward other methods for reheating certain types of food, simply because the microwave can turn them into a pile of mush.

There is one thing this challenge did inspire me to do, though: I have been consciously starting to unplug some of our appliances and household items, such as the toaster, to save energy when they aren't in use.

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Your challenge: This week, attempt to make everything without the use of a microwave; unplug it to save energy.

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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**