How many times have you read or heard the word “green” today? Green living, green consumerism, green construction. Green is not a trend. It is a way of making choices to reduce our negative impacts on the planet. And many of these choices are SO simple. Here is a short case for going green at home.

The fourth “R” is Reasonable

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. What is the correct answer to the question “Paper or plastic”? Most grocery chains sell sturdy reusable bags for less than $1, and some credit your register total each time you use them. Skipping the paper bags saves trees. Plastic bags require petroleum to manufacture, and they end up in our waterways. Keep the reusable bags by the door after you unpack groceries. Simple.

Much of the electronic stuff plugged into our outlets draws power whether or not it is in use. Put your cell phone and iPod® chargers on a power strip, and turn it off when they are not being used to charge. Most electronics have internal clocks or lights that draw power even when the items are off. Use power strips for these, and turn the switch off when you are not using the items.

Making your home efficient now

Minor changes at home in choices that we make every day also make a difference. As light bulbs burn out, replace them with compact fluorescent bulbs. Lower the thermostat by 2 degrees in winter to reduce carbon dioxide production by 300 pounds and save about $20 in fuel each year. Raise your AC thermostat by 3 degrees, too, and double these savings. Even if 600 pounds of carbon dioxide is hard to relate to, $40 isn’t a bad cash return for temperature change you won’t notice.

Making green choices when renovating

Install a programmable thermostat, which makes it easy to regulate temperature hour by hour. When replacing or adding new fixtures and appliances, purchase energy-efficient products, and consider purchasing used items, which keeps them out of landfills and saves you money. When building or adding to your home, use the best quality insulation your budget will allow, and build smart by foregoing attics and rarely used formal spaces for a more efficient structure. And buy smart windows and doors to keep your fuel use – and your fuel bills – in check.

Tom Mirabella is co-creator of LIHome411.com, a directory and concierge service for prescreened home improvement contractors on Long Island. LIHome411.com represents several green contractors. For additional resources, check out benefitsofgoinggreen.com online.

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