With Earth Day approaching, it’s the perfect time to start adopting sustainable practices that can also help save you money monthly. (Check out: 11 Ways the Government Rewards You for Going Green)
1. Utilize Natural Daylight
I make it a point to keep the lights off at home whenever possible, even opting for my phone’s flashlight during late-night bathroom trips, to minimize energy expenses. During daylight hours, I rely on the natural light streaming through my windows (remember to open those doors and blinds), and as the sun sets, I may use candles or other secondary light sources, such as my devices.
2. Seal Drafts to Lower Heating Expenses
Air leaks from gaps and cracks in your home allow the heated or cooled air that you pay for to escape. To mitigate this issue, identify and seal any drafts, or consider hiring a professional. In many cases, a simple solution like placing towels or blankets at door thresholds and insulating windows and air conditioning units for winter can be quite effective.
3. Modify Appliance Settings
Your appliances may be consuming more energy than necessary. Review the settings on your refrigerator, freezer, stove, microwave, and other devices to see if they can be adjusted lower while still performing adequately.
4. Implement a Greywater System
Greywater—any household wastewater that isn’t from the toilet—can be reused around your home to decrease water consumption.
According to Morgan Vondrak, a certified sustainable landscape designer at Argia Designs in San Francisco, “A laundry-to-landscape greywater system can significantly cut down your water costs by repurposing water from washing clothes or sink/shower use for garden irrigation.” This technique is particularly useful for nurturing fruit trees and high-water-use edible plants.
Pablo Solomon, a conservation and green design expert, offers additional greywater uses: “Catch water in a dishpan placed in your sinks and showers, and save your bathwater. This greywater is excellent for flushing toilets and watering plants,” he notes.
5. Opt for Cold Water in Laundry, and Clean the Dryer Lint Trap
Switching to cold water for laundry won’t yield massive savings, but if you’re willing to wash with cold, it can help reduce your bills a bit.
Solomon suggests, “Use cold water in your washing machine, which could save up to $3 per month. The dryer typically constitutes 5% of your monthly electric bill, but keeping the lint trap clean regularly increases efficiency and lowers energy costs.”
6. Harness Sunlight for Temperature Control
While drafts can affect your home’s warmth during winter, sunlight also plays a significant role in regulating indoor temperatures, which is especially important during both summer and winter months.
“Consider window coverings to block excessive sunlight in summer and allow warmth in during winter,” advises Solomon. “While quality window treatments can be pricey, there are DIY options, like using blankets or making your own curtains from thrift store finds. A friend of mine creatively sewed bubble wrap between fabric layers for effective and attractive window drapes.”
7. Lower Your Hot Water Heater’s Temperature
While using cold water for laundry can save some money, you should also check if your hot water heater’s settings are too high.
Eileen Flanagan, author of Renewable: One Woman’s Search for Simplicity, Faithfulness, and Hope, notes, “If you’re adjusting the cold water alongside the hot to avoid scalding showers, your water heating costs are too high.” Experts typically recommend a temperature setting around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you find a comfortable hot-water setting, you can maintain it—except during vacations, when you might lower it further.
8. Consolidate Device Power with a Strip — Remember to Switch It Off!
Instead of plugging devices randomly throughout your space, try using a power strip to consolidate your charging. This way, you can manage your energy use with a single switch.
“Smart power strips can monitor the energy consumption of devices that tend to use power even when not in active use, like TVs and game consoles, and can be programmed to turn off at night and back on in the morning,” explains Gene Wang, CEO and co-founder of People Power, a California-based tech firm.
Additionally, make it a habit to only plug in devices when necessary, such as printers, toasters, and coffee machines.
9. Fix Leaks Promptly
While it’s essential to conserve water by turning off the tap during tooth brushing and quick showers, leaks from faucets or plumbing can silently waste money if not addressed promptly.
10. Use Carpets and Rugs as Extra Insulation
Rugs and carpets can provide extra insulation, making them a valuable addition during colder months. Installing them, especially area rugs, is generally more affordable than re-insulating your home or increasing your heating settings. Plus, you’ll enjoy not having your feet touch cold floors in the morning!
11. Walk, Bike, or Use Public Transport More Frequently
You can significantly cut transportation costs by opting for alternative travel methods, particularly for local trips. Take advantage of walking, biking, or public transit on pleasant days. Carpooling doubles as a great strategy; I used to share rides with a coworker, alternating weeks, which saved us both over $1,000 annually for other expenses.
12. Think About Scheduling an Energy Audit
If you’re eager to adopt greener practices but aren’t quite sure where to start, consider scheduling an energy audit to identify opportunities for reducing your environmental impact and monthly energy bills.
“Most utility providers offer these assessments free or at a minimal cost,” notes Shel Horowitz, an author and expert on green business profitability. “During our last audit, we received hundreds of dollars’ worth of LED bulbs and benefited from two-thirds of the costs associated with re-insulation.”
What eco-friendly habits do you practice that help save you money each month? Share in the comments below!
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