Save the Forests
Instead of purchasing furniture made from wood, try items made from bamboo. Instead of cultivating trees that take years and years to regrow, the bamboo plant has an extremely fast rate of growth, up to 12 inches in one day! The material is strong and durable and can be found in many items, from plates and bowls to vases, chairs, tables and more.
Save Energy at HomeOn an average, the US alone “wastes” as much energy as two-thirds of the world’s population consumes. What’s with the US that all this energy is being trashed, literally? Our dependency on fuel-inefficient cars and other inefficient appliances have a lot to do with it. Sometimes, it boils down to just plain selfishness. Just taking a few moments to think about what we can do to save energy, can make a big impact.
On an average, the US alone “wastes” as much energy as two-thirds of the world’s population consumes. What’s with the US that all this energy is being trashed, literally? Our dependency on fuel-inefficient cars and other inefficient appliances have a lot to do with it. Sometimes, it boils down to just plain selfishness. Just taking a few moments to think about what we can do to save energy, can make a big impact.Buy energy-efficient products. Purchase items with the highest energy efficiency rating. You can spot this by looking for a yellow and black Energy Guide label on products such as small appliances and refrigerators. Some energy efficient models may be more expensive but, in the long run, will decrease the amount you pay in energy bills.
Switch to fluorescent light bulbs. Again, these bulbs will cost more than the standard bulb; however, they last 10 times longer and can save up to $30 per year in electricity costs.
Check your thermostats and make sure they are set correctly. Invest in a timer for your thermostat to keep temperatures regulated when you’re either sleeping or not in the house. In the winter, set your thermostat at 68° in the daytime and 55° at night. In the summer, keep it at 78°.
Don’t keep the lights on when you’re not using them. This one really should go without saying, but sometimes it’s easier to forget than to remember. Get in the habit of turning off the lights when you leave a room, install dimmer switches where appropriate and set lights on timers.
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