Going green isn’t just about saving the planet – you can also save money. There’s a wide range of simple things you can do to cut down on energy consumption.
Visit the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Energy Smart Web site for more information on what you can do around your home or business.
The Con Ed Web site also offers a wide range of useful advice.
In the meantime, here are some basic green tips to get you started.
- Cut down on buying bottled water. That plastic is expensive to produce and doesn’t recycle well. Consider using bottles more than once, or buying a bottle that can be reused.
- Replace your regular light bulbs with compact flourescent light bulbs. They use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer. On average, you’ll save about $30 in energy costs over the bulb’s lifetime. Remember that some of these bulbs contain a small amount of mercury. They should be handled carefully and properly recycled. Many retailers, like Home Depot, will accept them for recycling.
- Cell phone chargers will continue to draw energy as long as they are plugged in – even if they are not charging a phone. Many other electronics will constantly draw power. Consider plugging chargers and appliances into surge protectors that can be turned off.
- A lot of energy is expended in heating water. Try doing your laundry on the “cold” setting. Heating your home can be expensive, too. Make sure your insulation creates a tight seal so you are not wasting excess energy.
- Reduce the amount of paper you use. Many companies offer paperless billing. Print on both sides of a page. Recycle newspapers and unwanted paper. Embrace e-mail.
- A poorly-maintained car can burn more gas than one that’s been tuned up. Simple things, like replacing air filters, making sure tires are properly inflated and driving with the windows up to reduce drag can save gas. And remember, there are a variety of options for fuel-effiecient cars.
- Car-pooling is another way to save gas. You can also walk, jog or bike places, which isn’t just good for the environment, it’s good for your health.
- Instead of using plastic bags every time you go food shopping, invest in reuseable bags.
- Remember to turn out the lights when no one is home. During the summer, don’t leave air conditioners running while you’re out.
- Finally, don’t forget to recycle. Visit this Web site for more information on New York City’s recycling procedures.
