When winter comes around, it’s easy to forget about being energy efficient, but there are many ways to stay green. With a little help from the Staples’ Green Club, and research done online, Inklings has compiled a list of eight easy tips on how to stay green during the winter.
1. LAYER. If your house is a little too chilly for your liking, instead of turning up the thermostat, slip on a sweatshirt and fuzzy socks. Extra layers, especially a hat, will keep your from wasting energy, and allow you to stay nice and warm.
2. CARPOOL. Everyone knows that winter is a big time for car accidents. Less cars on the roads means less accidents to get into. Carpooling will save gas, and lets you ride to school with your friends every day.
3. SHOP. Winter means new clothes to buy, but instead of buying sweaters and jackets from Old Navy and Burlington Coat Factory, try buying eco-friendly clothing. Remember that about 1/3 of a pound of pesticides are used just to make one cotton t-shirt. Instead you can buy sustainable fabrics like bamboo, hemp, or organic cotton. You can find Eco-friendly clothing at www.Fashionandearth.com.
4. LIGHT. Winter means fewer hours of sunlight and more time indoors, so use light bulbs that last longer and are more energy efficient. Replacing your old light bulbs with fluorescent ones can do the trick.
5. LABEL. Look for home or office electronic products with the Energy Star label when you shop. Many electronics use energy even when they’re “off” to power continuous features like clock displays or remote controls. Replacing old items with energy-efficient models can save over 25 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, and save money on your energy bills.
6. SEAL. Make sure that all of your windows and doors are sealed up and there are no cracks where cold air can get in and warm air can escape. This will ensure that your house stays warm, and you can save on the heating bill.
7. SALT. For your icy driveways and sidewalks, consider using non-toxic de-icing substances instead of chemical de-icers which can be hazardous to pets, plants, and the environment. Instead, try using clean clay cat litter, sand, or fireplace/stove ash to prevent harmful waste from chemicals.
8. UNPLUG. Many common appliances that are plugged in are using up power, even if they aren’t on. Unplug phone chargers, TVs, computers, and other chords to preserve power. If you don’t feel like going around your whole house, consider using a multi-plug power strip where you can save tons of energy by just pressing the off button.
