My friend answered that the T.V was left on to ward off potential intruders. A lamp could also be seen from the window, shining its fluorescent light through the living room during pure daylight. Was she kidding me? Apparently, this is a "thing" we humans do to feel safe.
Water Saving Tip: While waiting for the water in the shower to heat up, fill a bucket and use the cold water for hand washing delicates or to water the garden....
Setting your water heater at 140 degrees F can waste $36 to $61 per year. Lower it to 120 degrees F to save energy and $$....
Appliances account for as much as 20 percent of your energy bill--replacing your dishwasher with an Energy Star model can save over $25 a year in energy costs....
The Little Seed is an organic clothing company with the disparate philosophy of creating and selling quality organic clothing. Founded by Soleil Moon Frye and Paige Goldberg Tolamch in 2007, The Little Seed aims to take a positive progressive step for the future with a responsible, safe, and eco-responsible attitude toward the manufacturing and distribution of clothing for children.
If your current refrigerator was made before 1993 it uses twice as much energy as the new Energy Star qualified model....
The stand-by mode on electronics is like letting a faucet run all the time at a slow trickle. Plug your TV, cable box, stereo and other electronics into a power strip and turn off the strip when these items are...
Soybean candles burn up to 50% longer than paraffin wax candles and won't leave dark marks on your walls....
Visit the Eco-Shop for all kinds of great items for your home and family...And, better for the planet! Scroll down for the "Eco-Shop" direct link....
Energy Star compact florescent lightbulb (CFL) uses 66% less energy than a incandescent bulb and lasts 10 times longer...
For Federal Tax Credits for energy-efficient home improvements, visit: Energystar.gov. Search "tax credits"...
When possible look for all-wool carpeting with natural fiber backing made of jute or latex to avoid chemical off-gassing into your home....
Choose organic linens and bedding--cotton in conventional bedding and linens requires significant chemical inputs for its growth and processing....
Shop at unfinished wood furniture stores and finish the items with plant-based, natural finishes--you'll avoid chemicals from new materials and also save money....
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) often found in carpeting and paint can have short- and long-term adverse health effects....
Switching to cold water when doing laundry can save the average household more than $40 annually....
You can reduce cooking energy by as much as 80 percent when using your microwave instead of oven for small portions....
Replacing an older refrigerator with a new Energy Star qualified model can save $45 - $65 a year....
On hotter days dialing up the thermostat by only two degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14 percent....
Energy Star consumer electronics products use less energy without sacrificing quality or performance....
Energy Star qualified room air conditioners use at least 10 percent less energy than standard models....
Energy Star compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use less energy and last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs....
Look for wood products that have the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) seal indicating they come from sustainably managed forests....