Global warming is a threat that everyone must take action against. Although government policies and corporations can have the biggest impact, you personally can also do your part. These 13 tips will help you save your hard-earned money on utility bills, save time and energy, and most importantly, protect the environment at the same time!

1.

Stop annoying spam

Think of how much paper is wasted just because of the spam you receive. Recycling is not enough. Stop sending the mail together. It will prevent trees from being cut down to use paper, and it will finally stop all that pesky mail. Smartmoney.com wrote an excellent article on how to stop spam.

two.

Insulate and seal your windows and doors

Sealing your windows will not only save you energy and money, it will also help reduce uncomfortable drafts and help reduce mold and mildew problems. Insulation will help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Insulation and sealants are easy and inexpensive to install, and you can pick up the supplies you need at your local home improvement store.

3.

Buy energy appliances

All electronic devices of your home that you can think of have equivalents of Energy Star. Air conditioners, heater, fans, lights, telephones, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, televisions, DVD players, etc. The next time you buy any electronic device, make sure it’s Energy Star compliant to ensure you’re saving money when you power up your electronics.

Four.

Inflate your car tires

Driving with flat tires can reduce fuel consumption and tire life by more than 15%, and also increases the chance of a tire blowout while driving. Be safe and save the environment by keeping your tires inflated.

5.

Use the microwave instead of the oven or stove

Microwaves can use about 50% less energy than conventional ovens. Be especially sure to use the microwave in the summer because the conventional oven will heat up your kitchen, forcing your air conditioner to work harder.

6.

Close vents and doors to unused rooms

Do you have a guest bedroom, dining room or study that is rarely used? Close all air vents in that room and keep the door closed. By doing this, your heating and cooling systems won’t have to work harder to regulate extra space that isn’t used anyway.

7.

Install CFL bulbs

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) use 75% less energy, last 10 times longer, and emit much less heat compared to standard incandescent bulbs. Considering that the average home spends 11% of its energy usage on lighting, CFLs could really help you save energy and money.

8.

Take shorter hot showers

Take short showers instead of baths. If you take a hot shower, lower the temperature a bit and shower faster. Don’t forget: sometimes a cool or cold shower feels much better than a hot shower, so don’t get stuck in a rut and always take a hot shower.

9.

Plant a tree on the south side of your house.

By planting deciduous shade trees like maples or oaks on the south and/or southwest side of your home, you will save cooling costs in the summer. These trees will protect your home from the sun and naturally cool the air. In the winter, when the leaves fall, the sun will be able to shine on your house, giving you warmth when you really need it.

10

Insulate your water heater and pipes

Put the back of your hand against your water heater. If it’s hot or hot then you are wasting money and valuable resources every second. The heat that is supposed to heat the water is escaping from the appliance. Most insulation packs come in easy-to-install kits and are relatively inexpensive.

eleven

Lower the thermostat on the water heater

Many water heater manufacturers set their water heaters to 140ºF before shipping them out of the factory. Not only does this reduce the life of your water heater, it also reduces energy. It could also be a health hazard by making you susceptible to burns and scalds from hot water. Having your water heater set to anything higher than 120ºF is a waste of energy and money. 115ºF – 120ºF will only work for most homes.

12

Get a free energy audit

Almost all utility companies offer free energy audits to help your home lower your energy bill. Call your power company and make an appointment. It’s free and you’ll end up saving money on your monthly payments. Why not take a wtweet announcement from this free service?

13

Use the stairs instead of the elevator

Save energy and keep fit! As long as your flat is less than 5 floors apart, walking isn’t really asking for much. It takes a lot of energy to make that elevator work.