So, you want to be green and save the environment, but it’s the middle of winter, and it’s freezing. You have to turn on the heat, or you may lose a limb to frostbite. Or it’s mid-July, and you’re so hot you may melt away into a puddle. The environment may hate you, but the air conditioning is going on.
It is possible to have the best of both worlds: be green and stay comfortable, no matter the weather. Some methods are so easy, you may already be doing them, but there are other ways to acclimate your temperature without killing the Ozone layer.
In the Summer Time
A few precursory steps to take to cool down in the summertime are to close the blinds or shades n your window, and keep them closed. This keeps sunlight out, and cooler air in. You should also keep your windows closed. This may seem counterintuitive, but it keeps a lot of the heat out, and when you open the windows at night, pick the ones oriented toward the prevailing wind, to capture those cross breezes.
Replace any incandescent light bulbs in your home with fluorescent ones. While the fluorescent light may not be the most flattering (come on, we all hate trying on clothes because of them), incandescent light bulbs spend 90% of their energy putting off heat.
Sometimes, you can’t avoid turning on the air conditioner. On those days, make sure all debris is cleared from on and around your unit, and clean the filters thoroughly. If there is any obstruction at all, the air conditioner has to work much harder to produce cool air, essentially throwing heat back into your abode. Your unit will work much better when clean and clear, and it uses much less energy.
In the Winter Time
Again, the first thing to do is close your windows and shut your blinds. Similarly to the summer heat, shutting everything keeps the heat in and cold out in the winter. A doorsweeper under your door will keep out drafts.
And wear that awful sweater your aunt got you for Christmas. It’ll keep you warm.
One great way to go green and save money this winter is to purchase a wood furnace. These nifty little heaters are about as green as it gets: Rather than using oil, gas or electricity, wood furnaces use, well, wood, which is a renewable resource and much cheaper than alternate fuel. If you purchase a catalytic wood furnace, it actually re-burns the gasses and particles that would ordinarily escape up the chimney. This catalytic heater is more expensive, but in the long run, it’s much cheaper and far greener than a heating system.
No matter what the season, there is always a way to make yourself feel more comfortable while still staying green. The environment will thank you.
<a href=”https://plus.google.com/u/0/112416019671904987458?rel=author”>Sara Stricker</a> is part of a team of dedicated writers who contribute hundreds of quality articles to blogs and sites. Follow her @StrickerSara for more articles.