By: Seth Leitman, Briarcliff Manor, NY This article is part of the Green Living Guy Top series.
So my friend Stacey Geisinger from Stacy Knows who I met through Heather Flournoy at Katonah Green at a Westchester County GreenDrinks. wanted to know what the Green Living Guy thinks for this Earth Day. So I said how aout the top ten things. So here we go!!
1. Green Living Guy Top Idea Insulate
Over a year ago I wrote on Planet Green a story called: Adding or Upgrading Your Attic Insulation Will Save Energy and Reduce Your Carbon FootprintAdding or Upgrading Your Attic Insulation Will Save Energy and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint! Why You Need To Add Or Upgrade Your Insulation Now. If you were to go up in your roof and add or upgrade your attic insulation you would save money every year you live in that home! Yes, insulation is dirty and nasty; just wear a mask, pants, sweatshirt and hat. Bottom line, you need to add this insulation!!
Even if you have a professional do the job, please do not forget to seal the attic with an attic stair cover!! Now, you might just be thinking about recouping the money you invested to buy the insulation. Here is the thing: Your energy savings will increase over time because utility rates go up and will continue to go up! Determine If You Have Enough Attic Insulation by clicking here to read more about insulation.
2. Air seal – Get a door sweep.
Around the same time I wrote another story called: Why Door Sweeps and Adjustable Thresholds are Important for Energy Savings. I wrote the following: The bottom of the door gets the most wear and tear so they leak. Fix the bottom of the door, save some cash and green your home. When I did weather stripping on the doors in my house, it helped to reduce the draft. Yet, every time we still felt a breeze and I knew it was making the HVAC work harder. The air flow from the bottom of the door was still a problem.
Now that I am getting door sweeps for myself, I will be saving a lot of money on my energy bills and won’t have that nasty draft. Hint: How do you weatherize the bottom of the door? Door bottoms (usually made in aluminum or wood) attach to the bottom of a door and can be adjusted to lightly graze the existing threshold as the door closes.
3. Get BPA free products and water bottles.
Recently my kids were given recycled water bottles that were plastic and someone asked me are they BPA free? I said I hope so; meaning, I didn’t know. So I looked into it. BPA is serious toxic stuff you do NOT want in your water. Therefore, get a BPA free plastic bottle or a durable glass water bottle that you would probably find in a Mrs. Greens, Whole Foods type store. Also, one of my sponsors A Lot To Say uses recycled plastic bottles that are BPA free. They are also stripped of all the bad chemicals and made into a thread. No water used for the dyes, Made in the USA and also looks good.
4. Buy LED bulbs
This is the easiest. Bill Brinsky, Brian Clark Howard and I are writing the book in the Green Guides series I am Editor on Green Lighting. It should be on bookshelves!!!.
However, in the meantime and for this earth day do like one of my friends did when he moved into his new apartment, he changed all his bulbs to LED. Just go to the Home Depot, Lowes, local store that carries energy efficient LED bulbs. You will see them when they are ready for prime time.
If you don’t see energy efficient lighting, do like I suggested in my blog talk radio interview with the marketing maven in New York City for the Home Depot Cate Franklin. Click here to listen Bottom line I said, “Go to the manager and ask for it!” Vote with your wallet. I guarantee you that the manager will get the product if you want it. You’ll probably get a better result than you can imagine.
While you are at it, Change the lighting fixtures in your home too.
Most people don’t even realize that the fixtures in your house are probably not as efficient as they could be. Remember, when you screw in a bulb, the watts listed on the bulb is NOT when you generate in energy alone. Yes, the fixture generates energy too. So if you change out the fixture you can save more money per light. For more information on this, reserve my book Green Lighting.
5. Get a hybrid, plugin hybrid or all electric car.
Yes, I know some people think it takes forever to get your money back. Hah. Just wait till the price of gas goes up; it will hit everyone hard, and those who have traditional gas guzzlers will really feel the pinch in their wallets. Fortunately, I will benefit from my decision to switch to a hybrid soon enough. I am currently in the process of buying out my last car and will trade it in for a hybrid as soon as possible—I can’t WAIT! The fuel efficiency and lower emissions of a hybrid are significant selling points, but what really excites me is the potential savings in fuel costs over time. Here is one great reason why you should also consider getting a hybrid: it not only helps you save money in the long run, but it also contributes to a greener planet. Go to #6.
6. If you own a Toyota Prius 2nd generation, please consider making it a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) which will get you 100 miles per gallon or more.
As my book Build Your Own Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle highlights: This comprehensive guide places you in the driver’s seat of an exciting journey toward sustainable transportation. You will discover how to create a reliable, economical, and environmentally friendly ride that not only meets your daily commuting needs but also contributes positively to the environment.
Inside, find detailed information about the hybrid powertrain and its components, including the motor, battery, and chassis, with clear explanations that demystify these complex systems. The book reviews current plug-in hybrids on the market, highlighting their advantages and limitations to help you make informed decisions.
It also discusses various hybrid conversion companies, conversion kits, and essential resources, offering insider tips on choosing the right path for your project. Each step is illustrated with pictures, diagrams, charts, and graphs, making it accessible for enthusiasts of all skill levels.
With this invaluable how-to guide, you will be behind the wheel of your own plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in no time, equipped with the knowledge and confidence to navigate this innovative world of automotive technology.
7. For women, please get paraben free products!!
A Planet Green article states that parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben, and butylparaben) are common preservatives in deodorants and cosmetics, but they are controversial because they mimic estrogen. Some research links this mimicry to breast cancer and urogenital issues. A 2004 study in the Journal of Applied Toxicology found five parabens in breast-cancer tumors of 19 out of 20 women. Although the sample is small and cannot prove cause and effect, it is significant. Researchers found intact parabens, which indicates they can enter the skin and remain in breast tissue.
8. Easy Green Living Guy Top Idea: “Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audits” book from the Green Guides
This hands-on guide helps you access your home’s energy efficiency. It offers 140 energy- and money-saving solutions you can use right away. Inside, you’ll find simple, no- and low-cost measures. These measures help identify problems and increase your home’s livability and efficiency. They also boost your expendable income each year. Whether you move into a brand new home, buy an existing property, or improve your current residence. You can definitely find practical tips and step-by-step projects inside Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audits. These will dramatically reduce your energy usage and boost your savings quickly.
9. Renewable Energies for Your Home: Real-World Solutions for Green Conversions (Tab Green Guides) (Paperback)
Being green isn’t always easy. It can cost more than you expect to start an eco-friendly home improvement project. Renewable Energies for Your Home provides sustainable energy solutions. These options save you money and protect the power grid. Generate heat with biomass fuels. Use biodiesel and ethanol in your home. Harness affordable wind power. Soak up free solar energy. This hands-on guide offers step-by-step instructions with helpful photos and illustrations. Reduce your carbon footprint while boosting your cash flow!
10. Another Green Living Guy Top Idea: Get a low flow showerhead
This small addition greatly affects our daily lives. It can cut water usage by 60% and contribute to a healthier planet. By being aware of our consumption and making simple changes. Especially like fixing leaks or using water-saving fixtures. Now we can make a difference together. It’s surprising how little changes can lead to big benefits. These benefits affect our utility bills and the environment we care about.
Happy Earth Month! This year, remember that taking one small step every day is the best approach. Go green, save money, and create jobs.
