GREENTIPS

You know the old expression, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Similarly, you may not be able to implement all of these green practices at once, but here are 10 simple tips that require minimal effort to make your home greener:

1. Use a ceiling fan instead of an air conditioner; it uses far less energy.
2. A five-minute shower uses half of the water compared to a bath. Also, install low-flow showerheads.
3. Replace your old toilet, which uses up to 15 litres of water per flush, with a low-flow model that uses between three and six litres.
4. Plug computers and home electronics into power bars and turn the power bars off when not in use to avoid drawing energy. Even when things are not in use but still plugged in, such as cell-phone chargers, their standby power consumes a considerable amount of electricity.
5. In the kitchen, use pressure cookers, microwaves and toaster ovens instead of the conventional oven whenever possible.
6. When using the dishwasher, use the short-wash cycle. Turn it off and open the door at the start of the dry cycle.
7. Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. Using a front-load washing machine. Always rinse in cold water. Dry clothes on a rack. If you have a moisture sensor feature on your dryer, use it to prevent the dryer from continuing to run when the clothes are dry. Clean the dryer filter before every load for maximum performance.
8. Create a recycling area in your kitchen for glass, plastics, paper and organic materials for composting.
9. Maximize passive solar power by opening and closing the blinds in order to heat and cool your home. Install programmable thermostats to automatically turn the heat down at night and when you go out.
10. Wrap foam insulation around the first meter of hot water pipe above your hot water tank and put an insulating jacket around old tanks.