Make sure you unplug your phone chargers at night

Honestly, I didn’t know that phone chargers took that much juice. Since I was on a go green kick last month, I learned that even when your phone is not connected to the charger, electricity is still flowing, and running up your electricity bill.

If you want to know how much energy each appliance in your place draws, GE has come up with an interactive chart that will show you. It tracks 53 devices; you can choose to see how much power does each appliance consume in watts or kilowatthours; alternatively, you can see how much does each appliance cost to use in dollars, and how much it consumes converted to gallons of gas.

If I were you, I’d check it out, and start thinking twice about leaving your computer on over night.

Do you have any energy saving tips?

Save Hundreds of Dollars a Year on Laundry

Have you ever thought about steam cleaning your clothes at home? This will cut down on your use of energy and chemicals that come from washing.

Even though it may make you feel better to think this way, dry cleaning does not increase the lifespan of a garment. The most that it increases is a hole in your wallet. So if you have woolen suits or any other garment that says ‘dry clean only’, you may want to weigh your options, starting with steam cleaning.

LG’s steam wash and dry system uses less water than even a front-loading laundry machine. These types of cleaners are great for pressing slacks and other items you want looking their best.

3 Egg-cellent Suggestions!

Everyone knows that Earth Day is in April. Because of this, many people have jumped onto the going green bandwagon. So for those late comers to the going green campaign, I have some ‘egg-cellent’ suggestions for you!

I never knew that there were so many uses for egg shells. But apparently I was mistaken. Check these out:

Reuse egg shells as a drain cleaner: Try keeping some egg shells in your kitchen sink strainer. They trap additional solids, and they gradually break up and help to naturally clean your pipes on their way down the drain. (Bet you didn’t know that one! I know I sure didn’t…)

Household abrasives: Shake up crushed eggshells and a little soapy water to scour hard-to-clean items like thermoses and vases. Crushed eggshells can also be used as a nontoxic abrasive on pots and pans.

Pots for seedlings: I remember back in elementary school where we grew plants in egg shells. Though I doubt this is something that serious gardeners would enjoy, it’s still fun!

What do you think of these tips? Do you have anything to add?

Stop Idling

This going green tip can be used in everyday life, and in the conservation of energy.

Everyday Life: The more you remain ‘idle’ or hesitant on issues, you’re more likely to talk yourself out of it and possible regret it later. I’ve learned that I tend to over-think things that require little or no thought. Your first instinct is usually the best. Usually now, not every time. Don’t act on impulse with every little thing, rational thought does need to come into play. Just don’t dwell.

Conservation of Energy: When in your car, try not to stay idle for too long. Every moment you spend idling your car wastes precious gas. (Which is not cheap by any means). Idling for more than ten seconds wastes more gas than it takes to start up your car.

Keeping these tips in mind can make for a greener you. Do you have anything that you would like to add? Leave it in the comments below.

Reference article

Tips on Saving Money at the Pump

Gas prices seem to constantly fluctuate, so be prepared with money savings tips:

1) Find the cheapest gas in your neighborhood. Websites like Gasbuddy.com, Gasprices.mapquest.com, and GasNearU.com will show you the fuel stations with the lowest prices in your neighborhood simply by entering your zip code.

2) Change your air filter every 10,000 miles. Your car needs the ability to suck in air without any restrictions.

3) Ensure your tires are properly inflated. Tires that are not at the right pressure can cost you 1-2 miles per gallon

4) Remove excess weight. Do you have a lot of junk in your trunk? If so, then you could be losing two mpg.

5) Don’t speed; don’t exceed 60 mph.

6) Keep the windows rolled up on the highway. This causes “wind drag” when they are down, and it can decrease gas mileage by 10 percent.

7) Use the air conditioning; using it can deplete your gas mileage by up to two miles per gallon.

Utilize your local public transit and don’t forget to carpool.

9) Statistically, gas is cheaper on Wednesdays. Keep an eye on your local gas station to see if this is true in your area, if so, make it a habit to fill up then.

10) Use your cruise control and keep your car from idling excessively.

Do you have any ideas you would like to share on how to save money at the pump?

I Want a Green Car!

No, not the color, though that would be nice. I’m in the market for a new car. Since this will be my first car, I’m not looking for anything too fancy; I just want to make sure that it realiably gets me from point A to point B, and its gets good gas mileage. Oh yeah, and I don’t want to break my wallet.

One thing that I have been taking into consideration is more green cars. These include fuel efficient cars that are environmentally friendly as well. A new list has been generated that list the most fuel efficient 2010 cars, so I believe that I will make my choice from there, as long as it’s less that $25 K.

The car sitting at the top of the environmentally friendly 2010 vehicles is the 2010 Toyota Prius. True enough, things haven’t been going all that well for Toyota lately, but it doesn’t skim over the fact that they generally make really good cars. The 2010 Prius tops most fuel efficient, widely assessable lists, with 50 mpg. How fantastic is that?

Next on the list is the 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid. Most hybrids on the market are a good bit more than their stripped down counterparts, but you can save hundreds more on gas with a hybrid car. The small car has an impressive 42 mpg fuel economy.

I’m not entirely sure what kind of car I will buy, but I do want it to get economically efficient. Do you have any suggestions?

The truest definition of “recycling” ever!

Hey South Wind! I found the coolest article about garbage trucks fueled on garbage. Apparently when garbage decomposes it produces methane and that can be used as an alternative to gasoline. So does that make it the dirtiest “clean” energy out there??? Sorry I couldn’t help myself.

Saving the World Isn’t Just For Men/Women in Capes Anymore!

Now, don’t go out and stock up on spandex, capes, and jumbo sized letters to put on your chest. You can save the world in a much less embarrassing way. How, you ask? Go green!

Don’t you remember when your mom used to instill in your head ‘turn off the lights when you leave a room’? Well, the age old adage will help you save the world (and money on your electric bill!). Click here for 10 helpful tips on how you can be more green!

 What creative things do you do to try and save energy?

Start Recycling

It looks like we have got to get serious about recycling.  Today I have decided to link you to a web site that is a great resource for finding a recycling center in or near your area.

On this web site you can find ways to recycling household items such as, plastic bags, aluminum, glass, and electronics just to name a few.

I make sure that I take plastic bags, bottles, paper etc. to a recycling center.  I know it may not be much or all that I can do, but it’s a start.  I would also like to know how you take steps to make the planet a little greener.

Check out the web site and let me know what you think.