The idea of making green lifestyle changes may be unfamiliar territory to some. Even the phrase "going green" may conjure images of things like off-grid living, reliance on only solar or wind power, vegan diets, or insistence on purchasing organic everything – which may seem extreme.
However, even the smallest changes in your daily habits – like not leaving the faucet on as long or turning off electronics when you're done with them – will make a difference. Here is a list of nearly 200 suggestions for things you could do to live a little greener.
Photo by Flickr user Anton Fomkin.
1. Rely on natural lighting as long as you can around the house before you turn the lights on.
2. Install a skylight to increase the amount of natural light in your home.
3. Ditch any incandescent light bulbs and replace them with energy efficient alternatives.
4. Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
5. Install dimmer switches.
Photo by Flickr user Scott Feldstein.
6. Fix leaky faucets or toilets.
7. Use low-flow faucets, shower heads, and toilets.
8. Take showers instead of baths to conserve water.
9. Take shorter showers.
10. If you take baths, afterward use the water on your houseplants or garden.
11. Turn off the water when you shave or brush your teeth.
Appliances & Electronics
Photo by Flickr user Alejandro De La Cruz.
12. Replace old, inefficient appliances.
13. Invest in ENERGY STAR certified appliances.
14. Use a microwave or toaster oven to prepare small meals.
15. Don’t open the oven while something is cooking.
16. Use the right size pot when cooking on your stove, or consider an induction cooktop.
17. Dust the coils underneath and on the back of your fridge to help it run more efficiently.
18. Decide what you want to eat before you open the fridge.
19. Keep your freezer full so it will run more efficiently.
20. Use an electric shaver or a razor with replaceable blades.
21. Get an LCD TV instead of a plasma or tube-based model.
22. Go for a laptop instead of a desktop computer.
23. Don’t charge your cell phone overnight.
24. Use power strips.
25. Turn off or unplug electronics, appliances, or chargers when they are not in use.
Heating & Cooling
Photo by Flickr user Steve Johnson.
26. Paint your house a light color in warm climates or a dark color in cold climates.
27. Set your thermostat to a slightly warmer setting in the summer and slightly cooler setting in the winter.
28. Close the curtains in the summer, and leave them open in the winter.
29. Install a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature when you’re away from home.
30. Install ceiling fans for improved air circulation.
31. Cool off with a window fan instead of an air conditioner.
32. When you can, open a window to cool off your home.
33. Wear extra layers before you resort to turning up the heat.
34. Install energy efficient double pane windows.
35. Replace furnace filters regularly.
36. Keep the dampers closed on your furnace or fireplace when not in use.
37. Close heating and cooling vents in unused rooms.