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Casa Quickie: Save Money and Energy
We've all gotten better about ditching plastic bags and using CFLs, but there are plenty of other simple ways to be "green" and save money that we often overlook. One of these is to make a habit of only running full loads of dishes in your dishwasher and full loads of laundry in your washer and dryer. This is particularly true for your dishwasher, because most dishwashers don't have a "small" option.
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How-To: Save Money and Energy With Your Pool
Do you love your pool, but hate your water and power bills? By increasing your pool's energy efficiency, you can lower your costs, while still enjoying your pool all Summer long. A recent LA Times article offered helpful advice for Southern Californians with pools, but the advice is equally relevant to those of you living in other regions of the country and world.
Check out four tips for saving money and energy with your pool when you read more
How-To: Go Green in the Kitchen Without Spending Money
So, you've learned how to go green in the bathroom without spending any money. But you shouldn't stop there! There's still more eco-friendly business to be done around the house.
Casa Verde: Keeping Safe With CFLs
The Sierra Club recently updated its website with some very helpful green tips, and there are some fantastic suggestions for going green at home. One tip that caught my eye was the safety considerations when disposing of CFLs. Since switching from incandescent light bulbs to CFLs is a great way to save energy and money, I heartily recommend making the switch (as does the Sierra Club).
Casa Verde: Energy Saving Programs
A few days ago, I received an unusual thank you note in my mailbox and thought I'd tell you about it. PG&E, my gas and electric company, sent me a note thanking me for being one of 1.5 million residential and 80,000 business customers who had conserved natural gas this past Winter, a time when demand for energy is at its highest. Sweet, right?
How-To: Eco-Proofing Your Laundry Routine
If you're concerned about your or your family's laundry habits, take a look at this list of tips for eco-proofing your laundry routine. Whether you're curious about laundry detergents, water temperatures, or green choices for washing machines, I've got you covered.
- Wash your laundry in cold water.
Casa Verde: 21 Eco-Friendly Home Improvements
I'm always looking for new ways to make my home greener, so thanks to Tdamji for pointing me to this list of 21 eco-friendly home improvements. (By the way, if you haven't checked out Tdamji's Minimal Harm — For the Love of the Planet group, I highly recommend it.)
This 21-green salute will help your conscience and your pocketbook, saving money and increasing your home's value. How many of these tactics do you use in your home?
Ask an Expert: Cheap and Easy Home Improvement Projects
In October, I asked Lou Manfredini (better known as "Ace Hardware’s Helpful Hardware Man") to give CasaSugar tips on keeping your homes cozy and efficient during the Winter months. Lou had such great advice that I asked him if he could answer some other reader-inspired questions about home fixes and improvements. Check out his answers!
Home Away From Home: Be an Eco Chic Guest
Even if you're not sleeping in your own bed and eating out of your own fridge, you can still be an eco chic guest when you're home away from home — and that doesn't necessarily translate to skipping showers or toilet paper. I've outlined a few ways that you can be environmentally friendly when you're on vacation or a business trip:
- Stay in a green hotel. Environmentally friendly hotels initiate programs that save water and energy and reduce waste, while saving money, and engage in many of the same activities you do in your casa verde.
What's Your Most Coveted Eco Upgrade of 2008?
If money weren't an issue . . .
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