With our economy struggling it seems that everyone is looking for ways to cut expenses. Why not reduce one of your monthly bills and feel good about yourself at the same time? Below is a list of ways to cut costs will helping out the environment.

 

1. Make the switch to Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs).  Thanks to many companies with environmental commitments, CFLs are readily available for around 2 bucks a piece. That's more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but lumen for lumen (the unit by which a light bulb's brightness is measured), CFL's use much less power. They also last up to ten times longer than regular bulbs. That means that the average CFL bulb will save $30 in energy costs over the course of its life!

 

2. Monitor your thermostat. Small changes make a big difference over time. Make a note of where you normal keep your thermostat. Once you've got an idea where it is usually set in the summer and winter, make the Two Degree Pledge: up two degrees in the warmer months, and down two degrees when it's cold.

 

3. Clean or replace your air conditioning filter. Depending on where you live, air conditioning filters can get dirty in a matter of days. An air conditioner with a clogged filter has to work harder, which means higher power bills and the creation of more greenhouse emissions. Running clean, you can save up to $150 per year.

 

4. Unplug idle appliances and electronic devices. Just because that cell phone charger doesn't have a phone attached to it doesn't mean it's not drawing energy. Don't just turn something off, unplug it. The average household can save up to several hundred dollars a year just by pulling the plug on silent energy vampires.

 

5. Buy a low-flow shower head with a shutoff valve. In most homes you can replace an old-style shower head with a modern unit in about 15 minutes. You'll reap two-pronged savings, both in water and the energy you've used to heat it. The benefit can be pretty impressive, since water heaters account for about 25% of home energy use. Put several hundred dollars back into your budget each year and keep water use at a minimum.

 

6. Drive Smarter. First, it is a good thing to keep tires properly inflated, and this is a common recommended strategy for gas. Using your cruise control on the highway for up to 15% improvement in mileage. Driving less aggressively is the single most effective way to save gasoline: accelerate out of light more gently, avoid rapid braking, and only drive as fast as you must. Lastly, turn off your engine instead of idling excessively.

 

7. Get an annual tune-up for your car.  At $200 to $300, a full engine tune-up sounds like a pricey way to save fuel and money. In practice, it's a good investment. A faulty oxygen sensor, for instance, can penalize your care up to 3 miles per gallon. Worn spark plugs and a dirty air filter can cost you another 4 MPG. It all adds up- fast.

 

8. Dust off that bike.  Bicycles are the most efficient form of human transportation, and that only thing they burn is calories. Bicycles are a healthy and environmentally friendly way to run those short errands. Start by resolving to use your bicycle instead of a car just once a week.

 

9. Go meatless once a week. Consider cutting back on the amount of meat you consume. Livestock production absorbs sixteen pounds of grain and soy feed for every pound of meat that actually gets to the plate. Give meatless substitutes like Boca Burgers a try, or scan vegetarian recipes for health and earth-friendly meal ideas. 

 

10. Buy Local. Buy in season. According to the non-profit group Sustainable Table, the typical carrot travels 1,838 miles before it ends up in your kitchen. That's a lot of food miles, and a tremendous amount of wasted fossil fuels and packaging. Buying regionally produced food is a keystone of sustainability: not only does it save the energy costs associated with shipping bulk produce, it keeps a portion of your grocery money close to where you live. So located your local farmer's market ( we have plenty in Denver!) and add it to your weekly errands.