INSTALL ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING

WHY:   According to ENERGY STAR, energy efficient fluorescent lighting reduces CO2 emissions up to 75% compared to incandescent lighting.  LED lighting can reduce CO2 emissions nearly 95%.   If each household changed one incandescent light bulb to compact fluorescent, it would be the environmental equivalent of removing one million cars off the road.  To learn more about how to choose Energy Star rated lighting, click on the Energy Star logo.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF ENERGY STAR PREFERRED LIGHTING:   ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs; last up to 10 times longer;  saves about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime;  produces about 75 percent less heat, making them safer to operate as well as decreases energy costs associated with cooling.   High efficiency light bulbs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, allowing them to fit almost any fixture, both for indoor and outdoor use. 

A small business with less than 1,000 square feet can save upwards of $2,000 in energy costs when they improve their lighting.  Larger corporations are saving upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars by making lighting improvements.  Many states and energy companies are offering rebates and refunds for businesses that are installing high-efficiency lighting.  These rebates and refunds will not be available forever so make sure you take advantage of the opportunities that currently exist.

USE PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT AT ENERGY EFFICIENT SETTINGS

HOW:  Install an Energy Star rated programmable thermostat and set the heat at 68 degrees in the winter and set the air conditioning to 78 degrees in the summer.  During times when no one is home or everyone is asleep (such as 'at work' hours and sleep hours) program the thermostat to approximately 64 degrees in the winter and 82 in the summer.

WHY:    Less need for heating and air conditioning during non-occupancy  or sleep times can have a dramatic measurable impact on the environment.  And this simple change doesn't require additional effort after installing the thermostat.  Set properly each season, ENERGY STAR rated programmable thermostats are effortless environment savers. 

HIBERNATE OR SHUT DOWN COMPUTERS

HOW:   To learn how to shut down your computer system and use computer power management devices, click on the Energy Star logo below.

WHY:  500 computers set to hibernate after 5 min during production times and shut down completely during non-working hours will prevent 72.5 tonnes of CO2 from emitting. (It takes 51,000 adult trees to offset 72.5 tonnes of CO2 ).

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF HIBERNATING/SHUTTING DOWN COMPUTERS:   The above scenario would reduce the business's energy bill $24,000/yr ($.10/kwh).

AUTHORITY RECOMMENDING THIS ACTION:   

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF MAINTAINING PLUMBING & CHOOSING EFFICIENT FIXTURES:  Maintaining plumbing to prevent drips, leaks and running toilets can help you save the expense of: wasted water, increasingly problematic plumbing and related issues such as damaged sheet rock, structural  decay, tile, mold, health issues...  Consider installing low flow/high pressure fixtures to conserve the water and your dollars even more; the rate of return is generally quick and worth the investment.   Don't forget to recycle old plumbing fixtures and hardware.  Look for opportunities throughout your home to be more water-wise.  You'll be amazed at the opportunities to save water and money.    

AVOID PLASTIC BOTTLED WATER

HOW:  Test your water for drinking quality.  If the results show that your home has good quality drinking water than use reusable water bottles (preferably aluminum) for water on the go.  For drinking water on hand, keep a picture of water in your refrigerator so it is chilled and ready to drink.  To order a do it yourself test kit for your water, click here.   If your water tests show that your water should be filtered for drinking water, consider the options that provide the most savings and the highest drinking quality.   To learn more about filtration options and comparisons, click here.

WHY:  Americans throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour.  If you are going to purchase plastic bottled water, make sure you recycle it.  Five plastic bottles (PET) recycled provides enough fiber to create one square feet of carpet or enough fiber fill to fill one ski jacket.   Recycling one ton of plastic bottles saves the equivalent energy usage of a two person household for one year.

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF ELIMINATING PLASTIC BOTTLED WATER:   Depending on how much bottled water you currently purchase, you could save significant amounts of money by no longer purchasing bottled water and instead using filtered or tap water, which is usually less than 1% of the cost of bottle water.
 

INSPIRE OTHERS

HOW:   Create your Eco-Profile and then using the "Share button" in the upper left column, share your Eco-Profile on your social sites and ask your friends/followers/fans/co-workers/employer/family and business relationships to also create their Eco-Profiles.  By doing so your EcoTree of Progress will display how many individuals and organizations you have inspired.  

WHY:   Encouraging the businesses that you support to meet this baseline creates exponential environmental progress in every regard.  Mainstreaming these basic actions will measurably improve our impact on the environment and prepare us for the next level of progress.  The current disorganization and chaos of 'green' is hindering progress, therefore getting society on the same page by doing some of the same simple actions and communicating those actions will bring exponential environmental progress.

SCHEDULE AN ENERGY AUDIT

HOW:    Contact your local energy company to learn how you can have an energy audit of your home.  Your local energy company can provide ways to conduct a self-audit on your home and look for easy opportunities to reduce CO2 emissions include replacing seals around doors and windows, cleaning the furnace and air conditioning filters.  Greater CO2 savings can be maximized with increased insulation, replacing faulty windows and doors, replacing older appliances and heating/air conditioning equipment with ENERGY STAR rated equipment.  To learn more about home energy audits, click on the Energy Star logo below.  

WHY:    If each home received an audit and implemented minor changes, the US could reduce national CO2 emissions by 25% or more.   

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF GIVING: Speak with your account about tax write-offs and deductions of your contributions.  The golden rule is the most valuable asset all of us can employ in our lives ...   It's free and often it is reciprocated beyond your wildest imagination.  Also a great combatant to depression or loneliness is reaching out and volunteering  time or services to help others less fortunate than you.