GO GREEN - Save Money and Help the Environment

People sometimes don't realize, but there are many ways to help the environment and also save money.

It is simple math, the less energy, gas, water or petroleum you spend, the better it is for the planet, the better it is for you.

Here we will talk about some of the many tips that can help you to go green and save lots of money.

1. Bundle up

Specialists say that for every degree you turn down your thermostat in the winter, you are saving an average of 5% on your gas bill. So, put on your socks and a sweater to stay inside and save money. This percentage can be even more for you depending on the geographic region you live in, your house insulation and your daily energy usage.

If lowering your house temperature by one degree can save you an average of 5% on your gas bill, how about a few more degrees during the night or when nobody is home during the day?

Another great way to save money is controlling the temperature in your house. An easy way to do that is to get a programmable thermostat and programming it to turn down the heat during the night and turn it back up when it is almost time for everyone to get up, so you don't have to be making breakfast in a freezing cold kitchen.

Program it to also to turn down the heat when everyone has left to school or work and turn it back up when it is just about time for everyone to get home.

This works as well for your AC Unit and saves you money on electricity bill during the summer .

This is common sense, but sometimes common sense it is not that common. While waiting to pick up the kids from school or to pick up someone at the airport, turn off your vehicle, reduce emission, save gas and have some extra money at the end of the month.

4. Quick shower

You may not even paying attention, but while your shower is running it uses 4 to 6 gallons of water in every minute.

If you cut your daily shower by 1 minute you will save 120 to 180 gallons a month or 1440 to 2160 gallons of water in a year. That is a lot of water.

Now think about if you cut your daily shower in 5 minutes? You do the math :)

You see that little red light (LED) showing you that your TV, DVD Player, Blu-ray Player, PlayStation, Wii, Xbox 360 or any other electronic appliance with a glowing light is on standby? That device is showing you that it is "happily" ON and ready to be used. Well, that is the point! Researchers have shown that if you turn all your electronic devices literally OFF, you would save 2 to 3% on your annual electric bill.

By saying literally OFF, I mean unplugging them from the outlet.

An easy way to do that is to have them plugged up to an extension outlet with a power off button, all you need to do after powering off your devices is to switch the power off on the extension outlet and you are done.

This is a must when you travel over the weekend or for longer periods of time increasing your saving to around 5% on your annual electric bill.

Fluorescent light bulbs are a lot more efficient and last longer then incandescent (regular) light bulbs.

They may cost a little more when you buy them, but they will save you a lot more money in the long run.

A regular night light usually uses 5 Watts of energy.

You may say, "Oh come on, it is only 5 Watts, that is not going to hurt, it is almost nothing!".

Yes, you are right, it is almost nothing, but we are talking about 5 Watts of energy 24 hours a day 7 days a week if you keep a night lamp in your bathroom with no outside window.

A LED night light, on the other hand, uses about 0.3 Watts, that is about 94% less electricity. See the difference?

Only run your dish washer or washing machine when you have a full load.

That you save a lots of energy. Not to mention soap, time and MONEY.

Many stores have a recycle bin to recycle batteries, take those used one with you next time you go and recycle them.

Did you know that you can save about $10 when you get a new battery for your car and give your old one for recycle? Check your local dealer and save money recycling old batteries.

10. Spread the word

Talk with your family, neighbors and co-workers about new ways to save money and help the environment, you will be surprise of how many ways and ideas will come up… simple gestures of common sense like turning off the light when nobody is in the room will save you big $$$.

You know a great way to save money and help the environment? Please comment and share it with us.

Thanks for reading and best wishes to all...

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