Showing posts with label earth day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label earth day. Show all posts
Apr 20, 2016
This Friday is Earth Day. While you may be overwhelmed with messages about appreciating our planet and becoming more environmentally friendly this week, we want to make sure the notion of the importance eco-consciousness lasts beyond April 22nd. Consider the simple tips below to help reduce energy consumption at home. These ideas are easy to adopt, and can help you save money and the planet. Try implementing them today and develop a more eco-friendly lifestyle for Earth Day and years to come.
Turn Off & Unplug
Did you know that items like TVs and computers continue to draw power even after they’ve been turned off? To help limit energy consumption, ensure that in addition to turning them off when they aren’t in use, you unplug these types of products. Is it a little cumbersome? Sure. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Not only will it help to reduce your energy bill, it also reduces the amount of energy your household wastes.
Know When to Use Major Appliances
Most energy providers will apply a discount or credit when you use major appliances during off-peak hours. Doing your laundry or dishes outside of peak hours (peak hours are usually right before and after work during the week, but check with your provider for specific times) means that you aren’t contributing to the grid getting overcrowded, and you’re able to save a bit of money. Now that’s what we call a win, win.
Timers are Your Friend
If you haven’t put your indoor and outdoor lights on timers, what are you waiting for? We understand that exterior and hallway lights help deter burglars and pests, and can make you feel more comfortable at home. What’s not comfortable, however, is having these lights on all night long. Reduce energy consumption without compromising on safety by putting your lights on a timer. You can set when they turn on and off, creating additional security for when you aren’t home.
Full Is Better
Doing a half load of laundry or running the dishwasher when it isn’t full can increase how often you’re using these appliances. Efficiency is important for major appliances. Wait until these items are full before using them. Does that mean you might have to do a couple dishes by hand if you run out of forks before the dishwasher is full? Yes. Will you sometimes have to wait longer than you want to wear your favorite top? Sure. But that sacrifice is worth it.
Tip: Always make sure you’re washing your clothes with cold water. Washing machines consume so much energy because the water has to be heated up. Washing in cold water greatly helps to reduce your energy consumption – plus, most laundry detergents are formulated for cold water.
Blind Leading the Blind
Using your blinds to block out the sun on hot days can significantly cool down the temperature in your home. Give your air conditioner a bit of a rest during the summer by strategically closing the blinds when the sun is shining. Similarly, help your furnace out by opening the blinds on sunny days in the winter.
Green Products
Eco-friendly products like light bulbs, windows, doors, and appliances, can all contribute to reducing your energy consumption and bills. So the next time you need to get a new light bulb, grab the energy efficient ones. They may be a little more expensive, but you’ll see a return on that investment. This is true of windows, doors, and major appliances as well, however these items need to be replaced less frequently. When it comes time to upgrade them, consider the environmentally friendly option (although it may be more expensive than the regular model).
We hope these tips help you and your family to live a little greener this Earth Day and all year long. Have some eco-friendly ideas you want to share with us? Tweet or Instagram your best advice to @HomeShows or share it with Home + Garden Events on Facebook. We love hearing from you!
Turn Off & Unplug
Did you know that items like TVs and computers continue to draw power even after they’ve been turned off? To help limit energy consumption, ensure that in addition to turning them off when they aren’t in use, you unplug these types of products. Is it a little cumbersome? Sure. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Not only will it help to reduce your energy bill, it also reduces the amount of energy your household wastes.
Know When to Use Major Appliances
Most energy providers will apply a discount or credit when you use major appliances during off-peak hours. Doing your laundry or dishes outside of peak hours (peak hours are usually right before and after work during the week, but check with your provider for specific times) means that you aren’t contributing to the grid getting overcrowded, and you’re able to save a bit of money. Now that’s what we call a win, win.
Timers are Your Friend
If you haven’t put your indoor and outdoor lights on timers, what are you waiting for? We understand that exterior and hallway lights help deter burglars and pests, and can make you feel more comfortable at home. What’s not comfortable, however, is having these lights on all night long. Reduce energy consumption without compromising on safety by putting your lights on a timer. You can set when they turn on and off, creating additional security for when you aren’t home.
Full Is Better
Doing a half load of laundry or running the dishwasher when it isn’t full can increase how often you’re using these appliances. Efficiency is important for major appliances. Wait until these items are full before using them. Does that mean you might have to do a couple dishes by hand if you run out of forks before the dishwasher is full? Yes. Will you sometimes have to wait longer than you want to wear your favorite top? Sure. But that sacrifice is worth it.
Tip: Always make sure you’re washing your clothes with cold water. Washing machines consume so much energy because the water has to be heated up. Washing in cold water greatly helps to reduce your energy consumption – plus, most laundry detergents are formulated for cold water.
Blind Leading the Blind
Using your blinds to block out the sun on hot days can significantly cool down the temperature in your home. Give your air conditioner a bit of a rest during the summer by strategically closing the blinds when the sun is shining. Similarly, help your furnace out by opening the blinds on sunny days in the winter.
Green Products
Eco-friendly products like light bulbs, windows, doors, and appliances, can all contribute to reducing your energy consumption and bills. So the next time you need to get a new light bulb, grab the energy efficient ones. They may be a little more expensive, but you’ll see a return on that investment. This is true of windows, doors, and major appliances as well, however these items need to be replaced less frequently. When it comes time to upgrade them, consider the environmentally friendly option (although it may be more expensive than the regular model).
We hope these tips help you and your family to live a little greener this Earth Day and all year long. Have some eco-friendly ideas you want to share with us? Tweet or Instagram your best advice to @HomeShows or share it with Home + Garden Events on Facebook. We love hearing from you!
Apr 21, 2015
Earth Day is this Wednesday - how will you be celebrating? For many, this holiday serves as a call to be more conscious of how their choices and lifestyle affect the environment. With this concept in mind, we came up with simple changes homeowners can make to their daily routine to lessen their impact on the planet. Here are some things you can try that are more earth-friendly than the alternative.
Not: Turning up your thermostat. Your furnace uses a lot of energy; why not get toasty under a chic and cozy blanket instead of upping the heat and your heating bill?
Not: Switching on more lights. Candles are a great source of light and can add a sense of warmth to any space. Light 'em up instead of your lights.
Not: Cellophane or aluminum foil. Reusable containers, like Tupperware, Rubbermaid, and mason jars, are great for storing leftovers, but you should also try using them to store other foods and produce that you'd normally wrap in plastic or aluminum. Create less waste while still keeping things fresh.
Not: Buying imported produce in grocery stores. A vegetable garden is not only a fun hobby, it yields delicious crops. Planes, trains, and trucks are all used to bring produces to your grocery store (especially if it's out of season). Think about all the fuel that takes. Help reduce emissions by eating locally when you can.
Not: Getting all your furniture brand new. Often times a little paint and elbow grease is all you need to give a piece of furniture a new lease on life. This is the ultimate form of recycling and it's a great way to get custom decor for your home.
We hope these minor changes help you and your family get a little greener this Earth Day. Are there other ways you'll be showing your appreciation for the planet? Tweet @HomeShows your Earth Day plans - we'd love to hear about them! Let's all work together to make this world a better place.
Try This, Not That
Try This: Blankets
Image via Apartment Therapy
Not: Turning up your thermostat. Your furnace uses a lot of energy; why not get toasty under a chic and cozy blanket instead of upping the heat and your heating bill?
Try This: Candles
Image via Planete Deco
Not: Switching on more lights. Candles are a great source of light and can add a sense of warmth to any space. Light 'em up instead of your lights.
Try This: Reusable Containers
Image via Skinny Secrets
Not: Cellophane or aluminum foil. Reusable containers, like Tupperware, Rubbermaid, and mason jars, are great for storing leftovers, but you should also try using them to store other foods and produce that you'd normally wrap in plastic or aluminum. Create less waste while still keeping things fresh.
Try This: Gardening
Image via Apartment Therapy
Not: Buying imported produce in grocery stores. A vegetable garden is not only a fun hobby, it yields delicious crops. Planes, trains, and trucks are all used to bring produces to your grocery store (especially if it's out of season). Think about all the fuel that takes. Help reduce emissions by eating locally when you can.
Try This: Upcycling
Not: Getting all your furniture brand new. Often times a little paint and elbow grease is all you need to give a piece of furniture a new lease on life. This is the ultimate form of recycling and it's a great way to get custom decor for your home.
We hope these minor changes help you and your family get a little greener this Earth Day. Are there other ways you'll be showing your appreciation for the planet? Tweet @HomeShows your Earth Day plans - we'd love to hear about them! Let's all work together to make this world a better place.
Apr 22, 2014
Not too complicated huh? Give it a shot! Visit your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore today and pick out a French door for yourself.
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SEPTEMBER 18-21, 2014
BETTER LIVING CENTRE, EXHIBITION PLACE
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