Dirty filters block air flow and can make your heating system work overtime. According to the Alliance to Save Energy,
that can cause faster burnout and higher heating costs. Old-style
furnace filters (inch-thick fiberglass panels) typically need to be
replaced monthly, while newer pleated, electrostatically-charged
filters usually last about three months. For both types, experts recommend checking for buildup every month and being especially diligent during months of heavy use.
You can chalk it up to homesickness if the tap water in your relatives' city doesn't taste as sweet
as the water where you live, but don't fall prey to the bottle. In the
United States, city tap water must undergo more-strenuous testing than bottled water, so it's generally safe to drink local water. Refilling a reusable container
at the faucet also reduces your carbon footprint: The production and
transportation of U.S. bottled water uses the equivalent of 50 million barrels of oil annually.
Tip #3: Skip the Paper
Make your group gatherings tree-friendly by avoiding paper products. Send invitations electronically using Evite. Create a festive mood by setting the table with the good china and the cloth napkins.
If you don't have a complete dinner set, have fun with mix-and-match
decor by borrowing plates from friends or finding used dinnerware
through Freecycle.
Share your tips: How do you reuse, reduce, and recycle when you're hosting a party?
Tip # 4: Only heat the rooms you use
Your heating system guzzles needless energy
trying to keep every room in your house cozy during winter. Make sure
the room with your thermostat is getting heat, but instead of sending
warmth to the four corners, keep vents and doors closed
in rarely used rooms. This reduces the amount of work your heating
system needs to do to reach your thermostat’s temperature setting. You
might even find that your house has fewer drafts and warms up faster.
Now that's cozy.
Share your tips: How do you keep heating bills down during colder months?
Tip #5: Plan Your Transit
Chances are, there's more than one way to reach your destination. Trains are a great option for traveling long distances at a leisurely pace. If you're planning to drive, try renting a hybrid or carpooling. If you must fly, consider buying offsets for your emissions. Coordinate your arrival time with other relatives to minimize the number of trips from the airport to Grandma's house.
Share your tips: How do you minimize solo car trips during the holidays?
Tip # 6: Hang it up
The celebratory atmosphere of the holidays can test the best kept habits (another slice of pumpkin pie, anyone?). A little indulgence is natural, but if you wouldn't normally waste water and energy to wash a towel that's only been used once, don't break that rule just because you're staying in a hotel. Many hotels
won't wash towels that are hanging neatly on the rack, but it's wise to
find out before you check in. The Green Hotels Association recommends giving each family member a safety pin with a different colored bead, then attaching them to the towels to tell them apart.
Share your tips: How do you avoid waste during the holidays?
Well there ya go! Some great green tips for everyone this Holiday Season. If you'd like more green tips OR specific tips let me know and i will do my best to post so great solutions!
Take Care and Remember...this Thanksgiving Save a Turkey - Eat ToFu!
KT
