{This is a guest post.}
We all want to live cleaner and more environmentally friendly lives, and what better time to start then the upcoming new year. There’s a misconception out there that living a greener and more energy efficient life is somehow more difficult or inconvenient than the blind-eyed alternative—but this is just patently false. There are a myriad of small and simple things one can do to live a greener and more environmentally responsible life that are neither inconvenient nor arduous. Here are some tips to live a greener 2015:
Unplug
Wasted energy is a massive issue and one that can be easily combatted by simply unplugging items that aren’t being used. Experts in the field say that between 5-10 percent of the average home’s power utilization derives directly from wasted energy from unused devices. Most electronic devices consume a significant amount of energy even when they’re turned off—around 1,000 kilowatts of energy on average per year. To put it in perspective on a national scale, the Department of Energy estimated around 4 billion dollars are spent annually on energy that is not being used. Not only will unplugging un-used devices lead to lower electric bills, it will help curb this massive energy waste.
Switch to LED lighting
When LED lighting first became available, the quality of the lights—for the price—was simply not a viable option for most. Today, however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In the last few years, innovation in LED lighting has led to a significant decrease in pricing with an overall increase in quality. LED lighting has rapidly become far more fashionable than its outdated, filament-laden older sibling—not to mention longer lasting and more energy efficient, the go to option is the 8ft LED tube. Over the course of a year, incandescent bulbs will use nearly ten times the kilowatts as LED bulbs. Certain LED’s can last for over 100,000 hours, over 80X longer than the 1,200 hour lifespan of a typical incandescent light bulb. Some green buildings like the LEED certified Greenwich Lane condominium in New York have equipped all their condos with high-quality LED lighting which not only significantly curbs overall energy waste but also leads to a less costly electric bill.
Use Non-Toxic Cleaning Materials
Non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning materials are not only better for the environment in how they’re made, but their application is far less harmful to the air and to us. There was a time when non-toxic cleaning materials were more difficult to obtain, but those days are long gone as most chain retailers offer an array of environmentally friendly cleaning materials. They’re typically right around the same price as their toxic counterparts and provide an easy and effective way to curb pollution and waste.
Recycling
It’s an obvious one, sure, but it can make a world of difference. Separate metals, plastics and glass and attempt to cut down on energy and waste whenever possible. Much of the recycling one can do to reduce one’s environmental impact has nothing to do with throwing things away, but more to do with re-purposing and re-using. Glass jars can easily be washed and used as sauce jars or glasses for drinks for example. Instead of throwing out that sofa, put it on Craigslist and see if someone else needs it. And in the same regard, look at used options before purchasing something brand new. However, some things like the ALF Roma Italian Modern Walnut Eastern King Bedroom Set, are just too tempting and then you might have to break the cycle of recycling and invest in what your heart craves the most.
The truth is the above advice just barely scratches the surface of what one can do to live a greener life.
Simply shutting off lights to a room you’re not in can create massive energy reduction throughout the year, and switching to e-bills can literally save millions of trees. Riding a bike to work on occasion cuts down on green house gas emissions and air pollution in general. These steps to a greener life may seem small and rather insignificant, but the reality is if we all put forth a concerted effort to make just a few of these changes each year, the overall impact would be absolutely massive. So whether you are moving into a luxury condominium in Boston or dreaming of buying your second home in New York City, think green!
