Your Enviro tips

[savvytangerine]

I would love if we could share some tips on things that we do to save money and the environment. Whether it is Enviro friendly product that you have discovered, a way to save electricity, or just your way of making a difference - I would love to hear it!

Here are a few things I do - that are a little more original.
I use shredded paper (junk mail etc) as cat litter. They honestly like it.
I dry clothes inside, and when my osculating fans hit them the house feels surprising cool. They hang from an defunct ceiling fan.
I add shredded paper to my plants, and pots. This helps retain water.

Look forward to hearing everyone's ideas!

 

[Smiling JOe]

I use shredded newspaper (I tried using shredded bills, but they don't break down so quickly) in the garden as a mulch, and throw a little pine straw on top.

 

[savvytangerine]

I have a mini fridge and a microwave as planters! I took of the doors, drilled holes in the bottom and painted fun colors. You would never know to look at them.

I painted cardboard and placed between window panes to block the strong morning sun. It looks cool from the outside too! Nearly every window is covered with a set of typical blinds and a rattan blinds. The extra layer makes a difference!

I try to use large limbs and tree trunks in my landscaping. A little bit less in the landfills.

 

[Kurt]

It takes a little getting used to, and I know some would rather die, but if many of us set our thermostats a few degrees warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter it would make all the difference in the world (for the world). America has become so incredibly soft when it comes to our own comfort.

And, almost every vacant house I go to photograph in the summer, whether for sale or for rent, is like an icebox with the thermostat set very low. PLEASE - owners and agents there is no need for that! Your sale prospects or renters aren't going to freak out if your thermostat is set on 80 or even 84 instead of 70. It will still feel cool to them when they come in out of the heat and humidity. Just this practice alone here and across the country would make a huge difference. Think about all the vacant homes, condos, warehouses, commercial buildings, offices, etc. that are sitting empty all of the time or half of the time with compressors pumping.

 

[Miss Kitty]

:roll: ...haven't hit menopause yet, have you Daddy-O???

 

[DD]

:roll: ...haven't hit menopause yet, have you Daddy-O???

 

[John R]

unplug chargers when not in use, they still consume while waiting to have something plugged into them.

 

[Smiling JOe]

set our thermostats a few degrees warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter it would make all the difference in the world (for the world). America has become so incredibly soft when it comes to our own comfort.

I think often times, the renters lower the thermostat to Icey-cold, when they enter the house, so renters also please remember to try this. funn:-- yeah, right!)

I'm one of those temperature pansies you are talking about, Kurt, but I try hard. In the summer, I set the thermostat at 82-84F degrees, and in the winter, I lower that down to around 72F degrees and wear socks.

 

[GoodWitch58]

I found that running a dehumidifier helps a lot. It's the humidity that bothers me, not the heat; so with the dehumidifier I can have the temp set higher and still be comfortable. (added bonus, I have lots of water for my plants!)

 

[Miss Kitty]

I think often times, the renters lower the thermostat to Icey-cold, when they enter the house, so renters also please remember to try this. funn:-- yeah, right!)

I'm one of those temperature pansies you are talking about, Kurt, but I try hard. In the summer, I set the thermostat at 82-84F degrees, and in the winter, I lower that down to around 72F degrees and wear socks.

...I'll come visit in the winter, although I keep mine at 69 or 70 in the winter. I do like recycling though...it is my new obsession.