Dave Powers' Special Green Tips

INSIDE THE HOUSE

1.Compact florescent light (cfl) bulbs. It is estimated that if everyone in the U.S. replaced just one incandescent bulb with a cfl, it would reduce carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to that produced by 1.3 million automobiles.
2. Set thermostat to 68 degrees (winter) and 72 degrees (summer).
3. Set water heater temperature to between warm and hot (can save up to 30% in energy costs). When leaving home for a few days, set temperature to low or just to pilot.
4. Seal all windows and doors.
5. Re-insulate your home (recommended R-40).
6. Caulk all outside gaps around windows, doors, pipes, telephone/cable lines, cracks in house foundation, etc.
7. Replace single pane windows with Energy Star replacement windows.
8. Clean or replace furnace/air conditioner filters monthly.
9. Replace old appliances with Energy Star appliances.
10. Only run dishwashers or washing machines when full. Use energy saving modes.
11. Clean refrigerator and freezer coils regularly.
12. Turn off lights when not needed or when leaving room - teach your children accordingly.
13. Purchase a "Green Switch" and follow instructions to completely shut down TV, DVD, Recorders, VCR Players, computers etc. when not in use. These devices consume between 5% and 15% of home energy usage even though they are in the "standby mode" or are not being actively used.
14. Use ceiling fans to maximize heat/cool air circulation (up during winter/down in the summer).
15. Use fans when possible instead of air conditioning.

LAWN AND GARDEN

1. Use low/no phosphate lawn fertilizer.
2. Consider composting. Grass clippings, leaves, and left over vegetables make excellent compost, but do not include meat. Your plants will thrive!
3. Keep lawn well maintained. A well maintained lawn provides enough oxygen for your own house and the houses on both sides of you.
4. Use electric rechargeable lawn tools instead of gasoline powered tools.
5. Avoid the use of chemical insecticides around your home. Remember that these insecticides kill friendly insects, such as honeybees, too.
6. Only water the lawn in the early morning hours.
7. Capture rain water and water from the rinse cycle when washing clothes to water outside plants/flowers.
8. Keep sewers and gutters clean. Adopt your own street and remove all debris from the sewer and gutters. Remember that trash in the sewers/gutters eventually winds up in the bay.
9. Never pour chemicals of any kind in your gutters or sewers…will also wind up in the bay.
10. Use drip water systems for plants, gardens, and flowers.

AUTO

1. Consider purchasing a Hybrid Vehicle.
2. Car Pool to/from work or consider public transportation.
3. Keep tires properly inflated (Check tires at least once a week). This reduces tire wear and increases gasoline mileage.
4. Keep engine properly tuned.
5. Remove all unnecessary items from your car (reduces weight and improves mileage and tire wear).
6. Consolidate "errands" into one or two trips a week. Where possible walk or ride a bicycle. Consider doing these errands with a friend/neighbor and alternate the use of your vehicle and his/her vehicle (reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions).
7. Driving with the air conditioner on with the windows up is more energy efficient than driving with the windows down.

MISCELLANEOUS

Use a cloth or otherwise reusable shopping bag when shopping

HOME ENERGY SAVINGS

1. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluing. Also consider biodegradable bags made out of corn/sugar cane and starch
2. Recycle all plastic bags (most grocery stores have a recycling program).
3. Do not throw used batteries in the trash. They contain very toxic chemicals which harm the environment. Dispose of them by returning them to Home Depot, Staples, etc.
4. Use water reducer (water miser) showerheads and faucets.
5. Fix all plumbing leaks promptly. Even a slow faucet drip can waste thousands of gallons.
6. Never pour any chemicals down the drain. Contact Baltimore County for proper disposal.
7. Electronic devices can be recycled by returning them to the Cockeysville landfill.
8. Baltimore County has a very good recycling program. By recycling, we can save energy, conserve natural resources, reduce the waste that winds up in our landfills, and reduce carbon dioxide and other toxic emissions. Recycling makes sense and greatly contributes to a healthier environment for everyone. For further information call (410)-887-3745.
9. Teach your children proper respect for the environment by setting the example yourself.
10. Only use environmentally friendly cleaning products instead of those containing caustic chemicals. Target carries some eco-friendly glass cleaners, and dish wash detergents under the brand name Seventh Generation that a number of users say work very well. These are comparable in size and price to brands containing more caustic chemicals.
11. Use houseplants to freshen and improve the quality of the air inside your home.

Have something I missed - email me at davidlpowers@verizon.net

Chartley Homeowners Association
P.O. Box 408 Reisterstown, MD 21136
Email Us at chartley@marylandtowns.com