Tips for a greener home for Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day by following these 75+ tips for your home. Comment with more ideas on how you make your home or business more efficient!

1. Plant a Garden.
2. Switch to LED or CFL light bulbs.
3. Create a Compost bin.
4. Switch old appliances to energy-efficient models.
5. Use reusable bags.
6. Use reusable water bottles and stop buying plastic disposable bottles.
7. Use cold water to wash clothes.
8. Turn off lights when you leave the room.
9. Open your curtains to light a room during the daytime hours
10. Carpool.
11. Install proper insulation in the correct locations.
12. Telecommute.
13. Turn off your computer at night.
14. Shop Local.
15. Buy green power.
16. Pay your bills online.
17. Stop unsolicited mail.
18. Reuse scrap paper.
19. Conduct an energy audit on your home.
20. Buy from a second hand store when possible.
21. Fix leaky faucets and toilets.
22. Make your own household cleaners.
23. Line dry your laundry.
24. Lower the temperature on your water heater.
25. Unplug unused chargers and appliances.
26. Collect Rainwater.
27. Purchase locally roasted coffee.
28. Use cloth napkins.
29. Compost your scraps.
30. Repurpose glass jars.
31. Air seal your home with caulk.
32. Seal leaky heating and cooling ductwork. Use mastic rather than duct tape.
33. Install a programmable thermostat.
34. Use smart plugs that shut off power to appliances.
35. Use timers for indoor and outdoor lights.
36. Seal cracks with expanding foam.
37. Weatherstrip doors and windows.
38. Wrap your water heater with an insulation blanket.
39. upgrade your water heater, perhaps a solar thermal system.
40. Wrap hot water pipers with insulating tubes.
41. Vacuum refrigerator coils.
42. Keep your freezer full for optimal use.
43. Use a microwave whenever practical.
44. Take 5-minute showers.
45. Turn off tap when brushing teeth.
46. Air dry your dishes.
47. Install aerators on your faucets to use less water.
48. Replace old toilets with low-flow models.
49. Use front loading washers and dryers.
50. Insulate your attic and basement to reduce your heating and cooling costs.
51. Use ceiling fans to cool down rooms.
52. Plant trees to buffer homes from wind and help shade during the summer.
53. Upgrade your heating and cooling system.
54. Change your air filters regularly.
55. Invest in green. There are many good mutual funds and stocks available.
56. Recycle your electronics and computer equipment.
57. Safely dispose of hazardous materials, like batteries, CFLs, and chemicals. Check locally or online for resources.
58. Recycle everything possible. Glass, metal, plastic, paper, cardboard (don’t forget junk mail!) and more. And participate in special item recycling days, such as for paints or electronics.
59. Plant native plant species, which are better suited to your climate and will require fewer chemicals and water.
60. Water your lawn less frequently and more deeply and at night in most areas, to avoid evaporation.
61. Eat less meat, which causes the most environmental harm than any other type of food production.
62. Never let your car idle. If you’re not driving or stopped at a light, shut the engine.
63. Use post-consumer, recycled content products, such as paper, napkins, toilet paper, tissues, and more.
64. Use reusable plates, cups and utensils. And no styrofoam. Encourage others to do the same.
65. Print double-sided both at home and at work.
66. Recycle those printer cartridges.
67. Don’t use artificial air cleaners or plug-ins.
68. House plants can help clear the air. Peace plants and philodendron are particularly well suited to eliminating many common air pollutants.
69. Buy certified carpeting, furniture, and other household goods. FSC, SFI, GreenGuard, GreenSeal and more, all certify products produced with less harmful chemicals and sustainable manufacturing processes.
70. Select low VOC paint for your next remodeling job. And look for low-emissions products for any sealing work.
71. Use doormats at all doors to keep particulates, dirt, and pollutants out of your home.
72. Patronize companies that are making efforts to become more environmentally sustainable. From consumer products to services, your dollar can make a difference.
73. Buy consumer goods that are produced in a more environmentally sustainable manner and with less packaging.
74. Install a solar PV system to offset your electric demand.
75. Use an energy star shingle when you replace your roof.
76. Shop at a Farmer’s Market.
77. What else should be on the list – leave tips in the comment section and I will add them!