From Everyday Fixes to Lifestyle Changes, 10 Earth Day Tips to Help You Go Green

1. FIX HOUSEHOLD LEAKS

Minor household leaks account for over 1 trillion gallons of wasted water nationwide. That's enough water for the needs of 11 million homes! In fact, one in ten American homes have leaks that waste more than 90 gallons of water per day. Checking for household leaks can not only save our precious fresh water resources, but it can also save you a lot of money over time on water bills. For more information on finding household water leaks, check out the video below.

2. LOOK FOR WAYS TO CONSERVE WATER

From making sure not to let your water run while brushing your teeth or shaving, for example, to conscientiously taking shorter showers, conserving water is an excellent everyday step to making the planet healthier.

3. BE SWITCH SMART

This is a relatively easy one that makes a huge difference in your household energy consumption. First, simply making a habit of turning off lights can save you big in electrical bills. Inside the home, it’s as easy as flipping a switch! Outside the home, consider putting a timer on porch lights or installing a motion sensor on property lights, versus leaving them to burn all night long. Second, switching to LED bulbs also makes a big difference in energy consumption. These bulbs might cost more upfront, but are more efficient and last far longer in the long run. Third, consider installing dimmers on some of your light switches and make a conscious effort to use only as much energy as you need. This especially makes sense in bedrooms and living rooms, where the dimming option is not only saving you money, but is also calming and relaxing.

4. WATCH APPLIANCE ENERGY USAGE

There are many things you can do to help reduce the energy strain of some of your household appliances. For starters, running only full loads in your clothes and dishwashers will not only save you energy in having to run these appliances more frequently, but it will also save water. That’s a double win! Another thing you could consider, especially during the hot summer months, is drying some of your larger items, like bedding and towels, on a clothes line. There are indoor/outdoor varieties that take up little space, and of course large outdoor ones that can handle whole loads of wet laundry. In the end, it’s a relatively small thing that does a lot to save energy. Also, if you must run your appliances, try not to do so during peak hours. Many power companies charge higher rates for energy used during prime time, usually between 12:00pm to 6:00pm.

5. GIVE YOUR AIR CONDITIONER A BREAK

Heating and cooling constitute the biggest energy suckers in your home: up to 50% of an average household's energy consumption! Here are some tips for reducing your dependence on your air conditioner so you can save resources, which in turn saves money. For one, when you can, run a ceiling fan instead of the air conditioner. Next, when you must run the A/C, increase the temperature a few degrees. Not making your home a meat locker in the summer creates less work for your unit, and is a cool way to save some cash. Finally, just remember to close the curtains to block any full sun that might come streaming through your windows at certain hours of the day. This will curtail rising temperatures in the home and will give rising energy costs the curtain.

6. UNPLUG

Remember to unplug nonessential electronics when they're not in use. There are many electronics in your home that still pull electricity, even when they're turned off. Gaming consoles, computers, and anything with a clock are a few examples. Turn those devices off when they're not in use! Another great idea is to group some of those devices on a surge protector. When they're not being used, turn the whole power strip off to save energy. This also includes not leaving items plugged in, even after they're fully charged. This continues to suck energy, and could actually be doing harm to the device itself and/or its battery, depending on the type of battery.

7. SWITCH TO ENERGY-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES

How do you know if you're getting the most efficiency from your appliances? The EPA has made it easy by providing a list of labels to help: https://www.epa.gov/what-you-can-do/labels-and-logos. These labels and logos are a guide to helping you get the most efficient system for your needs. If you're in the market for new appliances and don't have energy-efficient appliances like dishwashers, water heaters, heating, and air conditioning units, fridges, and freezers, it might be worth it to you to upgrade your old equipment. Not only do energy-efficient appliances save resources, but in the end, they will also save you money. And in some cases, there are even government incentives or discounts through utility companies for upgrading to more efficient units.

To check out Questar Gas rebates, go to http://www.thermwise.com/home/ApplianceApplications.php. For Rocky Mountain Power rebates, go to https://www.rockymountainpower.net/res/sem/utah.html. For any other available incentives, check out energy.gov/savings.

8. SWITCH TO LOW-FLOW SHOWER HEADS AND TOILETS

This is another lifestyle investment that could pay you back in the long run. Switching to a low-flow toilet can save you up to five gallons per flush! The numbers vary from model to model, so to learn more, check out ConserveH2O.org: http://www.conserveh2o.org/toilet-water-use. They also have a great page on showers and shower usage as well, found here: http://www.conserveh2o.org/shower-water-use. Toilets and showerheads are a few small investments that not only pay back the environment, but also pay you back in limiting your water usage--and helping you out on your water bills.

To check out Questar Gas rebates, go to http://www.thermwise.com/home/ApplianceApplications.php. For Rocky Mountain Power rebates, go to https://www.rockymountainpower.net/res/sem/utah.html. For any other available incentives, check out energy.gov/savings.

9. INSTALL A SOLAR SYSTEM TO OFFSET YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION

The decision to go solar is a big one. Not only is it a big financial investment, but you also have to decide if the decision is right for you and your family. However, it is a decision that could potentially completely offset your power bill. But choosing the right solar company and the right products for your production and budget needs requires a lot of research. (For tips on choosing the right solar company for you, click here.) Again, this is a green lifestyle choice that could save you money and could contribute to better air quality and energy sustainability, but is one that requires careful consideration so you can be sure it's the right choice for you and your family. (For a list of solar Frequently Asked Questions and to learn how solar works, click here.)

10. HOLD A YEARLY FAMILY EARTH DAY MEETING

It's a great idea to get everyone in the house on the same page when it comes to making energy-saving goals. If everyone is united, making a big difference with small, everyday choices is easy. If you already hold regular family meetings, make conservation the topic of your next one. Discuss some goals that everyone can commit to making, individually and collectively, and mark your progress! Check your power bill year over year so you can see what a big difference these small choices can make. For an easy checklist of possible family goals, see the printable sheet below!