Water and energy saving tips around the house
- Conserve energy. Use less energy and use it wisely.
- Compact Fluorescent bulbs are an efficient lighting source within the
house. Fluorescent adapter bulbs are available, conserving energy by using
less wattage to create the same brightness as incandescent bulbs. They
last longer as well, which will also save you money.
- Adjust settings on water heaters and air conditions to conserve energy.
- Don't let faucet taps leak or drip water. A running faucet uses 3-5
gallons a minute. Consider this: Brushing teeth: wet and rinse your
brush, this will use 1/2 gallon, saving 9 gallons wasted if you let the
tap run. Shaving: fill basin, will use 1 gallon instead of 14. Washing
dishes: fill basin, will use 5 gallons, saving 25. To really get an idea
how much water is wasted - fill up a 5 gallon jug with a pump and use all
of your water from there to see just how far it goes. You can really make
that 5 gallons of water last if you are not simply running it down the
drain. Better yet, carry that 5 gallon jug from a spring and you will really
learn to appreciate the value of every drop of water!
- Put lids on pots to avoid heat waste and help water boil faster.
- Use small pots on small burners, large on large for efficiency.
- Use cool / cold water when possible.
- Keep drinking water in refrigerator to avoid running the tap to get
it cold (it tastes better too).
- Water plants with leftover drinking water or from washing veggies (vitamins
are good for the plants). Save a container to collect misc. water and see
how fast it adds up.
- Use rechargeable batteries.
- If your pets like to nibble on your house plants, use crushed rue leaves
over the plants which will deter the animal without any chemical repellents.
- For dogs that like to chew on furniture or wood in the house try painting
some cayenne pepper mixed with water over the surface. When their mouth
burns, they're not going to want to chew any more.
- Rather than using electricity - open curtains and let the sun shine
into your home during the day. The sun is the brightest and least expensive
source of light available.
- If you live in a house, consider planting short, dense evergreen shrubs
around the foundation, to provide insulation from the cold.
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