Being green doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. It can save you money as well. Here are some easy ways to conserve energy in your laundry room, and other rooms of the house.
- Low Energy Appliances – “Energy Star Qualified” appliances use 10%-50% less energy than standard models.
- Wash clothing at 30°c – Washing clothing at this temperature uses about 40% less electricity than washing at higher temperatures. Bonus = Save money on utility bills.
- Wash in cold water – We stress to follow the care label of your garments prior to washing but if they can be washed in cold water, choose cold. 85%-90% of energy goes into heating water when washing clothing.
- Hang your clothing to dry – 2-3KG of carbon emissions is produced for every hour a dryer is in use.
- Use concentrated detergent – These have reduced packaging and a smaller carbon footprint due to their cheaper transport cost.
- Clean with Vinegar – it’s a natural way to kill bacteria, germs and mold. Reduce your detergent and add 1/2 cup to your laundry.
Here are more easy ways to be Eco friendly and save money in other areas of your house.
- Use power strips – By using multi-socket extension leads and turning it off when not in use, you can reduce your homes energy consumption by up to 15%
- Replace bulbs – You will save 66% more energy by replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent light bulbs (CFL).
- Use Bamboo in your hardwood flooring – Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth. This quick rate of replenishment means it’s more environmentally friendly than timber trees to use as hardwood flooring.
- Use a Microwave – 50% less energy is used by a microwave than a conventional oven.
- Place your Fridge in the shade – Having your refrigerator in the sunlight will force it to work harder to keep cool. Also, be sure to place your fridge 7.6cm from the wall to ensure proper air flow.
- Choose wool blankets over polyester – Wool is more Eco-friendly to produce.
- Use Eco paints – They contain very low levels of volatile organic compounds.
- Install a low flow toilet – Flushing toilets account for 30% of indoor water use.
- Install a low flow shower head – A family of four can save 160,000 liters of water. And, opt for showers over baths to save even more = A shower uses as little as 14% of water used during a bath.
- Grow Houseplants – Literally be green with houseplants. They improve the air quality.
- Put a spider plant in your bathroom – this will help purify the air.
What are some other inexpensive and fun ways to be more Eco friendly in the home – AND save money? Share in the comments.
– S.O.
