Living the greener life
If you're in the market for new appliances - think before you buy. That way you will not only consider the environment, you may save yourself money in the long run as well, by purchasing Energy Star Rated appliances and fixtures.
If you can only replace one appliance at a time, start by replacing your geyser or refrigerator. These two fixtures alone account for a hefty percentage of your monthly electricity bill.
Stay turned on to the environment!
Investing in an Energy Star rated TV ensures that you will save you money while helping the environment. Some TV's, such as LED, use up to 50% less energy than a conventional TV, additionally you can now buy HDTVs, flat screen LCDs and top-of-the-line plasma TVs that are Energy Star qualified.
Products are only allowed to display the Energy Star rating when it meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. For TVs, it means they save energy both in standby and active (when they're on) modes. Energy Star qualified TVs use about 30% less energy than standard units.
The kitchen goes green!
The kitchen is probably the one room in the home that benefits the most for energy saving appliances. From oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine and more, most of these appliances are power hungry. One green appliance that everyone should own is an Energy Star rated refrigerator.
Also, you can save both water and electricity by washing dishes by hand. If you must have a dishwasher in your kitchen - make sure it's Energy Star rated.
Get wired up for a greener planet!
If you work from home or spend time in front of the computer, here's another opportunity to become more energy efficient. PC, monitor, printer, scanner - all electronic devices that use a fair amount of power.
Switch to Energy Star rated office equipment to keep your office running smoothly and green.
Say good night to poor quality!
Cotton is one of the most comfortable fabrics to have on your bed. Cotton is extremely versatile and the strongest of the natural fibres, with the exception of wool. Cotton is easily dyed, which means almost unlimited colour options. It also permits the flow of air, which allows the fabric to breathe and this is what makes cotton comfortable in both winter and summer. Replace synthetic-blend bed sheets with pure, natural cotton, or add elegant luxury with Egyptian cotton bed linen.
And don't forget about the en-suite. Pure cotton towels are absorbent and guaranteed to stay looking good for longer.
Fresh laundry for less!
If your washing machine is more than 10 years old, you can use about 50 percent less energy and save money simply by switching to a new Energy Star rated washing machine.
And did you know that a larger washer uses more water and energy to heat and run. Work out the amount of laundry you do every week to determine the capacity of washer you need. If possible, hang your clothes outside in the sun to dry rather than using a tumble dryer.
Don't flush money down the toilet!
From low-flow showerheads and toilets to aerated faucets, you can find many products that conserve energy and water in your bathroom.
Having recently renovated my bathroom, I installed a toilet that offers low-flush and full-flush options. That's just one way to reduce flushing water away. Alternatively, a 1 litre plastic bottle filled with water will reduce water usage in a conventional toilet.