How to Live Large While Living Green

by Karen Miller

Living green is often associated with frugality and while it can save money, people can also live a rich life while still keeping their carbon footprint small. No one has to give up his or her favorite luxuries to prevent a big strain on our environment.

Your Car

No one needs to run out and purchase a hybrid vehicle to be green. You can keep your current car, or go out and buy your dream car, and still be green. To do this, it is important to maintain the vehicle. Regular tire maintenance and tune-ups will help keep vehicles more emissions-friendly so that they are efficient and practical. This will also help with gas mileage which is a bonus.

Organic Food

Organic produce will have less chemical residue and pesticides. This means that when it is being grown, it is doing less harm to the environment. This is pricier, but it is better for the earth and healthier for those consuming it.

Control Temperature

Keeping homes warm in the winter and cool in the summer is important, but it can also eat up a lot of energy. The good news is that this does not always have to be the case. There are climate control methods that can be employed to keep energy use as low as possible without being too hot or too cold. Getting a programmable thermostat is one of the best ways to do this. It is easy to install, will keep the home constantly comfortable and will save a good chunk of energy throughout the year.

Get Better Light bulbs

You can light your home as you wish and still save energy by using the right light bulbs. Everything from table lamps to chandeliers can use energy-efficient light bulbs. You will want take out all of those regular incandescent bulbs and replace them with compact fluorescent lights. They also have these for recessed lighting and anywhere else you will need a bulb. Incandescent bulbs have also been linked to things like brain damage and birth defects due to their mercury content, so ditching them also makes the home safer.

Green Building Materials

If you are getting ready to remodel, use green building materials. These are often a little more expensive than regular materials, but the quality and efficiency is definitely worth it. For example, natural woods are far more sturdy and strong than pressed wood products. The natural woods will last far longer, making it a smart investment.

Water Use

Next to energy, water is probably the most wasted thing in a home. Many appliances use more water than they actually need to operate, such as washing machines and dishwashers. This does not mean that you need to get rid of these convenience items, but just to use appliances that work to conserve water. In terms of sinks, toilets and showers, go for the low-flow ones. These will ensure that only enough water to operate the item is used without impacting water quality and strength.

Xeriscape Your Yard

A beautiful lawn and yard is something we all want. The problem is, many landscape designs require a lot of water and care. Well, the xeriscape method involves the use of plants that are drought-tolerant. This means that these will thrive without much water. These can be found in a variety of sizes and colors, allowing you to fully customize your landscape without a large carbon footprint.

About the Author: Karen Miller has been covering everything green for nearly a decade. When she isn’t writing, you can find her covering freelance stories for companies like Terminix Pest Control Services.

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