How to go green and save green

The economy is tanking, the ice shelf is melting and our resolve to live greener is waning. Unfortunately, many think that living green is the hallmark of hybrid-driving, organic-eating celebrities. Yes, a more fuel-efficient car and organically grown food can reduce our carbon footprint – but the cost can be prohibitive for those of us who’ve watched our investments dwindle and our bills skyrocket.

Must we toss out our green intentions? Absolutely not. Living green can actually save you money. Choose from any (or all!) of the eco-options below:

Lower your heating bills: close drapes during the night and open them during the day to allow the sunlight to work its magic. Program your thermostat to go down during the evening and when you’re out of your home. You can reduce your bill by more than five percent.

Turn off lights. Lights account for about 20 percent of a home’s energy use. Using a CFL cuts energy use by about three-quarters (and those who argue that the mercury in a CFL renders them dangerous, please note that coal-fired power plants – which largely produce our electricity – are the single largest manmade contributor of mercury to our environment). But even energy-efficient bulbs should be turned off when not needed.

Clean the lint filter of your dryer. As much as I love my clothesline, it’s not too effective when the temperature dips below freezing. For those days that I rely on my dryer, I clean the lint filter after each use, which can decrease its energy usage by close to a third, leading to an annual savings of up to $40.

Save up to $150 per year by creating your own low-flow toilet. Simply place a plastic container filled with pebbles or water into your tank and you’ll save about a gallon per flush. And don’t forget to check for leaks. A leaking toilet can waste as much as 750 gallons per month (and that’s money down the drain). To find out if yours is leaking, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Wait about 15 minutes, then check the toilet bowl. If it’s colored, you’ve got a leak. Either fix it or call a plumber.

Weather-proof your windows. If you can’t afford new windows and yours are rattling with each gust of wind, it’s time to caulk, seal or weather strip. It’s a bit of a pain, but can save you about $75 year.

Change your furnace filter. If you can’t see through it when you hold it up to light, it’s time for a change. For only about $3 four times a year, you can save up to $100 annually by installing a clean filter.

Share your ride. While gas prices have dropped from last summer’s crazy costs, it still makes cents to share your car with others going the same way. You’ll not only help the environment and save money, you’ll get to know your neighbors.

Leslie Garrett is an award-winning journalist, author, radio host and TV correspondent who focusses on environmental and social issues. Visit her at www.virtuousconsumer.com