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(NC) Helping the earth and your wallet at the same time is completely doable. These tips from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation show you how.
1. Use your window shades to your advantage. Open them up on sunny days to draw warmth, and close them at night to keep your home warm and cozy.
2. Make it a game — get the kids involved by creating an earth drill, where everyone goes around the house turning off unused lights and appliances. Whoever finds the most things to turn off gets to pick what board game to play.
3. Use a programmable thermostat and keep the temperature a few degrees lower in the winter. Reducing the temperature by one degree can cut two to three per cent off heating bills on average.
4. Watch the clock and only run appliances like dishwashers and laundry machines, when the cost of electricity is at its lowest.
5. Make your own DIY cleaning products at home and use reusable rags and old towels when cleaning.
6. Opt for energy-efficient appliances and unplug small appliances and electronics when not in use.
7. Check for drafts and insulate doors, windows and any other areas where you feel cold air coming in.
8. Install a ceiling fan to better circulate warm air throughout the home.
9. About 90 per cent of the energy a washing machine uses goes toward heating the water. Wait until you have a full load of laundry and wash clothes in cold water.
10. Install efficient toilets and shower heads throughout your home to save on water consumption. New low-flow toilets can use six or less litres of water per flush compared to older toilets that use 13 to 20 litres.
