It’s the little things that go a long way

As you have read on many websites and blogs, there are a host of products and processes that you can integrate into your home or tiny house during its construction or remodeling to make it more Green. If you are a DIY person, a builder, or a person hiring a builder to build your home, large or tiny, there are choices you can make to be green.  However, Green is more than just low-VOC stains & chalks, insulation, and FSC certified lumber though - Green is an attitude, and a way of living.

If everyone changed a few small things they do every day, a big impact would be made on our environment and our planet. The following is a list of things that you could do to start living a more earth friendly and sustainable lifestyle.

1. Don’t print this article; instead, bookmark this page for future reference!
2. Bring your own bags to the grocery store.
3. Shop locally. Supporting your local retail establishments reduces pollution and the consumption of fossil fuels used by traveling.
4. Carpool, take public transportation, or ride your bicycle.
5. Purchase ENERGY STAR appliances.
6. Install a programmable thermostat.
7. Clean the coils on the back of your refrigerator for better efficiency.
8. Turn off any unused lights in your home.
9. Replace your inefficient windows with new double pane, Low-E insulated ones.
10. Do not recharge cell phones and electronic devices overnight. Most devices only require 1-2 hours to fully charge.
11. Take shorter showers and install low-flow showerheads.
12. Download electronic books online or get a library card.
13. Don’t let the faucet run while brushing your teeth.
14. Plant a tree.
15. Unplug electronic devices (TV’s, VCR’s, computers, etc.) when not in use or wire each outlet to a switch in the room to cut power to these devices. Many of your favorite household devices consume large amounts of electricity even when turned off.
16. Use environmentally friendly cleaners and detergents.
17. Use a clothesline instead of a dryer when possible.
18. Become a member of your local food co-op.
19. Install an inline water filter for your home in place of buying bottled water.
20. Carry your own reusable coffee mug or water bottle.
21. Use low-VOC latex paints and stains in all interior and exterior re-finishing applications.
22. Reduce junk mail
23. Use shredded paper for packaging material.
24. If at all possible, try telecommuting.
25. Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
26. Check your tire pressure once a month to improve your gas mileage.
27. Print or write on both sides of the paper.
28. After using your oven, turn it off and leave the door open to help heat the room.
29. Write your congressman about your concerns.
30. Involve your children. Teaching them how to be more environmentally conscious from an early age will instill good habits.
31. Start your own compost pile.
32. Install motion sensors for exterior lighting.
33. Replace your paper coffee filters with a reusable filter.
34. Spread the word! Tell people about the Green changes you have made.
35. Pay your bills online and sign up to stop receiving paper statements in the mail.
36. Cancel your phone book delivery and look up numbers and addresses online.
37. Make sure roof and soffit vents are clean and free of debris.
38. Replace your standard light bulbs with CFL’s (compact fluorescent lamps).
39. Reuse paper, plastic, and Ziploc bags.
40. Use cloth napkins & dishtowels rather than paper.
41. Open your window shades In the winter to take advantage of the heat from the sun. Close shades in the summer to keep your house cool.
42. Practice “night flushing” during the summer instead of using the AC
43. Use houseplants to freshen the air in your home instead of air fresheners and sprays.
44. Buy rechargeable batteries.
45. If faced with the option to download computer software or be mailed a disc, choose the download and burn a copy to disc.
46. Replace your toilet with a low-flush or dual-flush toilet.
47. Keep your freezer full. The fuller it is, the less energy it takes to cool it.
48. Have regular maintenance performed on your vehicle to keep it running at its most efficient.
49. Buy in bulk to reduce packaging materials and trips to the store.
50. Get outside! It’s good for the body and mind.
51. Use your cruise control. Doing so increases your gas mileage.
52. Buy Fair Trade.
53. Buy organic food.
54. Cover pots to reduce the time and energy needed to boil water or heat food.
55. Plant a vegetable garden.
56. Donate! Whether it be your time, clothing, kids toys, furniture or food.
57. Don’t use pesticides.
58. Put an insulation blanket around your water heater
59. Check caulk around windows and doors annually to ensure good seal.
60. Drink shade-grown coffee.
61. Use ceiling fans to improve air circulation reduce heating and cooling costs.
62. Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Visit www.localharvest.com for more information.
63. Plant drought-resistant or no-mow grass.
64. Recycle and buy recycled products.
65. Buy renewable energy by checking that little box on your utility bill.
66. Run only full loads in your dishwasher and washng machine.
67. Buy clothing made from sustainable or recycled materials.
68. Use cisterns or barrels to collect rainwater for watering shrubs, flowers, and plants.
69. Drive the speed limit; doing so increases your gas mileage.
70. Keep water heater set at 120 degrees or less.
71. Replace your HVAC filter on a regular basis to ensure peak efficiency.
72. Drink tap water instead of bottled water.
73. Order local entrees when available at restaurants.
74. Add your sugar and cream to your coffee cup first, then fill with coffee to eliminate the use of those wooden stirring sticks and plastic straws.
75. Live small

And let’s face the brutal facts.

Practicing and living green is for a better lifestyle for us and future generations. It is not about saving the planet as many claim. Planet Earth was here a long time before we arrived and will go on no matter what we do.  Living green responsibly is about our families, now and for future generations. So, learn to minimize your carbon footprint with a sustainable healthy lifestyle.