My electric bill for the month of March was $260. How did it get that high? We used plug-in power tools to strip and repaint my husband's car, had several space heaters running at all hours and we used more lights than necessary, which we didn't consistently turn off when leaving the room.
After seeing that bill, some lifestyle changes were made in my home. I went "green" not only to help preserve the environment, but to save the green in my pocketbook.
Here are some tips to cut down on the cost, while saving the planet - courtesy of the 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron.
Save energy on the go
- Walk, ride a bike or take a bus or train whenever you can instead of driving a vehicle — think of all the gas money you can save
- If you must drive somewhere, try to carpool
- Keep your vehicle tuned up and its tires properly inflated
- Accelerate slowly when driving
- Turn your vehicle off if it will be idling someplace for over a minute
- When you buy a new vehicle, choose one that gets better gas mileage
Save energy at home
- Turn off lights, the computer, radio, stereo, and television when you leave a room
- Install compact fluorescent bulbs in lamps
- Seal up leaks in doors and windows
- Wash clothes in cold water
- Use a clothesline instead of the dryer
- Set the thermostat a couple degrees lower in the winter and a couple degrees higher in the summer
- Buy products that have the Energy Star label
Reuse
- Rinse and reuse glass jars
- Use both sides of paper before recycling it
- Cut up used sheets of paper to make notepads
- Trade, sell or give away old clothes, furniture and other items at secondhand stores
- Wash out plastic food containers and use them again
- Share and trade magazines with friends
Reduce
- Buy long-lasting products instead of things that will wear out quickly
- Store food in reusable containers, not in plastic wrap or foil
- Mend and repair clothes and toys rather than buying new ones
- Use cloth napkins, sponges and rags instead of paper products
- Contact the Direct Mail Marketing Association to stop receiving junk mail at your home
Recycle
- Check with your local recycling center to find out what you can recycle. Many paper, plastic, glass and metal products are recyclable
- Have a small box or trash container just for recyclables
- Wash out food containers like jars, cans and plastic bottles before you put them in the recycling bin.
- Buy products in recyclable packaging
- Buy products made from recycled materials
Following any of these suggestions may help lower the cost of living as well as pollution levels. For me, one of the biggest changes I made was to start riding my bike to work instead of driving. Through this act, I am saving $85 a month and $1020 a year. It pays to be environmentally conscientious.
