Live Green

Increasingly, environmental issues are coming to light that could seriously impact the future of the planet. Many people erroneously believe that there is nothing they can do to help. There are simple investments that you can make to greatly reduce your environmental impact. Keep reading to learn how you can go green.

Many laptops will allow you to actually remove the battery when you are staying home. Just keep the laptop plugged directly into your surge protector. Laptops are designed to use significantly less power- this is only way to make the battery last longer. However, the battery will always drain power, even if you are not using it. By pulling it out you can prevent this.

Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan during the winter months so it will continue to reduce your bill. In the summer it creates air movement and pulls hot air up so that the room feels cooler in summer. Reversing this direction forces the hot air down from the ceiling, where it collects naturally. Since it requires less power than your heater, it will be comparatively cheaper than running your heat more often.

If you are looking to make a significant change in your energy usage, consider installing solar panels. As long as you take the time to do proper research and planning, the large expense will be covered through the energy savings. Once you have paid for the panels, you can enjoy 10 plus years of nearly free power. If the investment is too large, many companies are now offering lease options.

Your bottled water has a dirty little secret- it is probably just tap water with a fancy label. Get a reusable water bottle with a filter to have delicious fresh water anywhere you go. You can also get a faucet-attached filter or a pitcher for your refrigerator to make sure you have enough for the whole family.

Spend some time investing in local small businesses. Entrepreneurs in your town have many services and products that are the same, or even better, quality than the products on your warehouse store shelves. Not only that, because they have not been shipped all over the world they have a much smaller carbon footprint. You can also find chemical-free products that are simply not available commercially.

Make sure you are not wasting resources through lazy habits. Only run the dish and clothes washer when they are full. Turn out the lights when you are not in the room. While it seems simple, these concepts add up quickly. Once you get these down, you might want to go even further. Walk to the corner store on a nice day, or switch all your bills to online bill pay.

The changes you make today will pay for the upgrades you make in the future. That means you should get started as soon as possible. Using green tactics reduces waste and lays the groundwork for a better place to live for generations to come