We are all aware of how important it is to find "greener" ways to live life so that we can help our planet thrive, keep waste out of our landfills and encourage energy and water conservation. There are several simple yet effective ways you can be living green in Bryan-College Station. They don't take much money or effort but can go a long way in taking care of Mother Earth.
Light Bulbs - Replace incandescent lights with energy-efficient CFLs (compact fluorescent lights). They cost only slightly more than the regular light bulbs but last much longer and use less energy, saving you money in the long run. They are also available anywhere light bulbs are sold: grocery stores, hardware stores, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.
Thermostat - Install a programmable thermostat. Set your thermostat higher in the summer months while everyone is away at work or school. Program it to start cooling down the house about one-half hour before the members of your Bryan household typically get home. If you set your thermostat just 1 degree lower in the colder winter months and 1 degree higher in the warmer summer months, you can save as much as $100 per year on your heating and cooling costs.
Ceiling Fans - Circulating the air in the rooms of your College Station home takes less energy than running a central, forced air or window air conditioning unit, saving you money in electrical costs. If you don't want to install ceiling fans, you can accomplish the same effect with a standing oscillating fan.
Water - Bottled water can be expensive. Installing a filter on your kitchen faucet costs much less. You also will be eliminating the waste of plastic bottles to carry the water in.
Showers - Make your shower time shorter. You will save 10 gallons of water for every two minutes you shave off your shower time.
Gardening - Using a soaker hose in your garden or flower bed uses up to 70% less water than a sprinkler system. Create your own compost by placing your scraps of fruits, vegetables and used coffee grounds in a container. This can then be used as a natural fertilizer in your garden or flower bed. Plant foliage that is native to the Bryan-College Station area so that they compliment the local weather and use less water. This is called xeriscaping. Talk to your local nursery or home garden center to find out what plants would fit best in your home.
Car Wash - A commercial car wash uses less water than washing it yourself at home, even if you turn the water off between scrubbing. Save time and water by heading down to the local car wash.
These are just a few ways to start living green in Bryan-College Station. Making these changes in your everyday living will save energy, water and money while helping preserve our planet for a while longer. If you find yourself in need of a REALTOR® in the Bryan-College Station area, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Stephanie Hansson, Living the Good Life in Bryan - College Station Real Estate
Comments(0)