Tips for Going Green at Home

• Replace all incandescent bulbs with fluorescent ones
• Use a motion detector to turn lights on and off
• Use a programmable thermostat to heat or cool only when you are home
• Weatherproof your house
• Ceiling fans can lower the amount of electricity needed to cool your house

• Repair leaking faucets and other water outlets
• Do not leave the faucets running when you are not using the running water
• Install low pressure shower heads and toilets
• Operate washers and dishwashers only when they are full to the optimum load
• Install a tankless water heater
• Compost your waste instead of draining it down the waste disposal system, which takes a significant amount of water to work properly
•  For irrigation use  Soaker Hoses (drip irrigation) where ever possible to provide efficent, gentle, even soaking and precise watering around all of you plants, bushes, trees and flowers.  beds. 
• Soaker Hoses  save water by reducing evaporation and targeting only specific areas that need to be watered

• Use electrostatic air filters, which remove 99% of airborne particles and are 40% more efficient than standard air filters.
• Only use low-VOC paints to cut down on emissions inside your home, since regular paints emit most of their VOC’s after the paint has dried
• Use non-toxic chemicals for cleaning, pest control, and fertilizing
• Install programmable sprinkler systems, drip irrigation or soaker hoses to help control outdoor water usage and run-off

• Recycle whenever possible
• Compost your food waste – it stays out of landfills and provides you with nutrient rich soil
• Buy products in larger containers to reduce waste
• Purchase recycled products

• Only purchase lumber and paper products that are stamped as certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)