Ask about Energy Efficient Mortgages, known as EEMs. They often allow new homeowners to qualify for a larger mortgage with a lower annual income due to the energy savings expected in homes built to
high-energy efficiency standards. Ask your real estate professional or mortgage lender about EEMs.
Reduce the amount of waste you produce by buying minimally packaged goods, choosing reusable products over disposable ones, and recycling.
Consider a Hybrid. Looking to buy a new car? Consider a hybrid, which runs on a combination of a gasoline engine and electric motor. Hybrids get up to 50 mpg compared with 15-25 mpg for typical vehicles. Even better, walk, bike, carpool or take transit more often. You'll save one pound of CO2 for every mile you don't drive.
Kill the Energy "Vampires." TVs, video and DVD players, cable boxes, chargers for phones, laptops, camera, handheld devices and other electronic equipment found in nearly every American home are wasting huge amounts of energy. When these devices are left plugged in or in standby mode (e.g., computer "sleep" mode), they use about 40 percent of their full running power. To avoid the drain of these energy "vampires," plug them into a power strip and turn it off when they are not in use.
(Energy) Audit Your House. The greenhouse gas emissions of your house are equivalent to two average automobiles. By making improvements - sometimes as simple as fixing leaks, adding insulation and installing a hot water heater blanket - you can reduce your energy use by 30 to 40 percent, and even cut it in half. Cutting your energy consumption by even 25 percent is the equivalent of taking a car off the road for six months each year, keeping three to four tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere.
Buy Local. Eat Fresh! Farmers' markets make it easy for you to buy produce from local farmers. Produce that is grown and sold locally avoids energy used to transport items from great distances. Many local farmers also use organic growing methods.
Put the Pressure On. Keep your tires inflated properly. Under-inflated tires are energy drainers. This simple action can save 400-700 pounds of CO2 per year. Changing auto air filters regularly also increases fuel efficiency. Accelerate slowly (don't lead foot it) and drive the speed limit. Better yet, ditch the car and walk, bike or take transit. Every gallon of gasoline you don't use keeps 20 pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere.
Get an Electric Lawnmower. Surrender your gasoline lawnmower, which is among the dirtiest of modern machines. Using your gasoline-powered mower for one hour emits the same amount of pollution as driving a car 93 miles. Gas mowers emit a disproportionate amount of CO2, as well as carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Replace your gasoline lawnmower with an electric model or, better yet, a manual mower. You'll build strength and reduce emissions.
Plant a Tree. In the fall, gather acorns, chestnuts and seeds from maples and other leafy trees and plant them in small pots at home. Keep the saplings for four-five years, then plant them in your own garden, offer them to friends as gifts, or return them to nature. Experiment with different types of seeds. A single tree will absorb one ton of CO2 over its lifetime.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The manufacturing process produces an average four-eight pounds of CO2 for every pound of manufactured product. You'll save 2,400 pounds of CO2 per year by recycling half of your household waste. Avoid plastic bags; take sturdy tote bags to the grocery store. Reuse plastic grocery bags as trash can liners and tote bags. Reuse take-out containers for plant saucers. Take a travel mug to your favorite coffee shop. Reuse gift-wrap or use reusable gift bags.
Hang it Up. Clothes dryers are energy gluttons. To reduce energy use, clean the lint filter after each load (improves air circulation and speeds drying). Use the cool-down cycle, which uses residual heat to complete the drying process. Better yet, abandon your dryer (or use it less often) by hanging up your clothes. Apartment and condo dwellers can buy a drying rack that fits into the bathtub or folds up into the wall. Reduces CO2 emissions, and your clothes will last longer.