With Earth Day this week, you’ll be hearing a lot about ways you can help the environment, but it doesn’t hurt to save a little green in your wallet at the same time, right? So here are 10 ways to live green as well as save some green, and they don’t just apply to this week!
1. Heating & A/C
If your furnace or air-conditioner are up for replacement, then it only makes sense to opt for a new Energy Star replacement. For the rest of us, though, it’s hard to justify trashing the old furnace just to save a few hundred dollars a year on heating/cooling costs, but spending thousands to do so. But if your current unit is 10-15 years old, and you plan on staying in your home another 10-15 years, then the investment now will pay off in the long run.
When it is time to replace the furnace or A/C unit, don’t throw out your old appliance! You CAN recycle these appliances, but you don’t just stick in a blue bin. Instead, you first take it to a company certified to remove the CFCs or Freon, and then either they or you can take it to a scrap yard. There’s probably a small fee to get the chemicals removed, but some chemicals can be recycled too.
Some municipalities have “spring cleaning” pick-up days where you can put out used appliances for the city to dispose of, and the cost is already rolled into your monthly garbage fee. Call your city hall for more information.
2. Water Heaters
Surprisingly, many Americans don’t yet know the wonders of tankless water heaters. They’re a staple of most other countries in the world, but here in America, we keep 20, 40, 60 or more gallons of water hot 24 hours a day, even if we only use an hour of it or less. A tankless water heater only turns on when you demand hot water and there is no storage tank. Granted, if you live in a pretty cold climate, you’ll need more than one tankless heater in a series to heat the ground water enough, thus negating some of the cost savings.
But if you’re lucky enough to live in a moderate climate (even here in D.C.), you can purchase from a growing selection of electric or gas tankless water heaters for an average $800 uninstalled. However, that investment will save you about 50% of your water heating costs each year, assuming you don’t take longer showers because you have constant hot water.
Oh, and depending on your overall tax situation, you could take advantage of a $300 tax credit for buying a tankless heater! That certainly helps cover the added up-front cost and make tankless heaters more competitive with tank water heaters.
3. Windows & Insulation
When we moved into our home, the previous owners had already replaced the original windows with more efficient dual-pane windows. It’s good because windows are one of the most expensive replacement item in homes! If you want to lower your energy bill by up to 15%, replace your windows with dual- or triple-pane windows. However, I don’t recommend replacing all of your windows simply because you get a tiny draft. Replacing all of your windows, or even just a few, easily runs into the thousands or tens of thousands.
Instead, try caulking the edges of the windows or using thermal plastic to add an extra layer of insulation. Even more important, though, is that most of the air escapes your home through the attic, floors and walls, not the windows. Do what you can to reduce drafts or heat loss through the windows, but if you really want to save big bucks, insulate your crawl space, attic and walls better.
4. Washer & Dryer
There are only two words I need to say when talking about saving money washing and drying your clothes:
Energy Star
Studies show that buying an average Energy Star washer or dryer will pay for itself over the appliance’s lifetime, and with the rising costs of energy, those studies could probably be updated to show even better payback periods!
If you’re in the market, front-load washers are more efficient than top-load since they use gravity to clean the clothes. There are also high-efficiency top-load washers that have new wash systems that could do the job.
As for dryers, try to get one with a moisture sensor that will automatically shut off the dryer when it detects that the clothes are dry.
5. Refrigerator & Freezer
Again, the Energy Star label rules with this appliance. Energy Star refrigerators have more insulation, a high-efficiency compressor and more precise temperature controls than other units. If you have a 15-year-old fridge, then you can save about 50% of the energy if you switch to an Energy Star refrigerator. Oh, and freezers on top are more efficient than those on the side. Why? Because it’s easier to just push cold air down than to the side. And if you can do without a water/ice dispenser, then do so since that’s just one more place the cold air can escape.
A tip for keeping your fridge efficient: vacuum the compressor at least yearly. You might have to unscrew a plate from the bottom-back of the fridge, but keeping it free of dust means it can pull in more air with less work. When we moved into our house, I popped off the plate and saw a quarter-inch layer of dust and dog hair on the compressor! Ewww!
6. Toilet
Unfortunately, it’s hard to find a toilet that can push down a good-sized deposit anymore, but that’s because a federal mandate took effect in 1994 that reduced the allowed water per flush from about 7 gallons down to about 1.6. But now I can’t even imagine using 7 whole gallons per flush!
But low-flow toilets have come a long way since the 1994 models. They’ve been redesigned to push more with less water, and now some toilets even have an option to flush with the regular 1.6 gallons or an economical .9 gallons. The latter option would be great for “number 1″ flushes. And if you’re looking for special labels on the commode to help the purchasing experience, check out the WaterSense label. It means the toilet uses 20% less water than the current national standard.
7. Shower
If you want to cut your water usage in half in the shower, buy a low-flow showerhead. The newer models actually simulate high-flow units pretty well, but use 50% less water while doing so. Just like toilets, the older models turned off many users, but the newer models have redeemed themselves. Since showerheads generally don’t cost much (compared to windows and appliances), run out to the the hardware store and grab one or two for your house. Seriously, go now. You can bookmark this article for later…
8. Sink Faucet
According to the EPA, a leaky faucet that drips once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year. That’s a quarter of the water in our pool! Just like showerheads and toilets, new models of low-flow faucets can drastically cut your water usage without seeing any or significant reductions in performance. Older models used 3-7 gallons per minute while newer low-flow models only use 2.2 gallons per minute.
9. Dishwasher
(My) jury is out on whether the dishwasher is better than just washing the dishes by hand, but since we only run it once per week, it hasn’t come up for serious discussion. If you absolutely need to convenience of a dishwasher (which I won’t argue), choose a more efficient model that has a quick-wash (light use) cycle, no-heat drying option and maybe a delay-start control to make scheduling around peak-energy times easier (we use it on ours). These units cost more, but repay it all plus some in the long term.
10. Range & Oven
Last up on the list is an item that I don’t personally use often, but from which I definitely benefit: the stove. I always thought that gas ranges were more efficient than electric, but they’re not! Gas ranges have a longer life expectancy, but only 55% of the gas energy used goes directly to cooking. That’s compared to 80% for electric cooking. Wow, did you know that? (don’t answer that smartypants).
If you’re in the market for a new stove/cooktop, consider one without a pilot light. An oven with a pilot light can use double the energy per year! The downside of an electric-start oven is just that– if the electricity goes out, so does your cooking options. But this article is about saving money, not being able to cook chocolate chip cookies during the apocalypse.
Summary
The recurring theme here is Energy Star, WaterSense, low-flow, as well as good, old common sense. Don’t toss out the old appliance or spend thousands to replace your furnace, air-conditioner or windows simply because everyone is talking about how inefficient yours probably are. If you’re looking out for the environment, often the impact of making new windows and tossing or recycling the old ones just doesn’t improve the situation. Instead, only replace an item when you actually need the replacement item, and always calculate the costs and benefits of your decision.
译文:
10种既环保又省钱的居家方式
与地球日这周，您将听到了很多方法，对环境有帮助的，同时，又不会损失你的钱包里绿卡得钱，对不对？因此，这里有10种既环保又节省一些绿色生活方式，他们可不只是适用于本星期！
一， 炉与冷气机
如果您的炉或冷气机将要更换，那就要有意识的去选择一个新的能源之星来更换。至于其余的，虽然我们很难自圆其说，移至垃圾桶的旧炉只是为了一年在加热/冷却成本方面节省数百美元，但花费数千也是为了这个目的。但如果您目前的单位是10-15岁，而您打算住在你家的另一10-15年，从长远来说，现在的投资将还清。
当是时候要更换炉或冷气机时，不丢掉您的旧家具设备！您可以回收这些设备，但你不只是坚持在一个蓝色的垃圾桶。相反，您首先你可以带它们到一个公司，有资格消除氟氯化碳或氟利昂，然后他们或者您也可以再拉到到一个废料场。有可能是一笔小的费用，以获得化学品删除，但一些化学品可以循环再用。
一些省市“大扫除”上升天，您可以把使用过的电器让城市来处置，成本已经驶入您的每月垃圾费。打电话给你的大会堂获取更多信息。
二，热水器
奇怪的是，许多美国人还不知道的奇观tankless热水器。在世界的大部分其他国家，它们是主要产品，但在美国，我们保持20 ， 40 ， 60或以上加仑的热水，每天加热24小时，即使我们只用一个小时或更少。 1 tankless热水器只有轮流当您的需要热水的时候才加热，它没有储罐。理所当然的，如果你住在一个相当寒冷气候，您需要一个以上的tankless加热器才足够加热地下水。因此，从而否定了节省成本。
但如果您有幸生活在一个温和的气候里（甚至在DC ），您在购买上有越来越多的选择，可以是电动或天然气tankless热水炉，平均800美元未安装的。不过，投资会为您每年节省约50 ％的热水费用。假设您不需要较长的淋浴，因为你不断地有热水。哦，并根据您的整体税收情况下，您可以利用一个300美元的税收抵免购买tankless加热器！这当然有利于增加前线的成本，而使tankless电热水器比坦克热水器更具竞争力。
三，窗口与绝缘层
当我们搬进我们的家，以前的业主已经取代了用更有效率的双窗格窗口取代原始的窗口。它的好是因为窗口在家庭当中是其中一个最昂贵的替代项目！如果你想降低您的能源法案高达15 ％，那就用双窗格窗口或三窗格窗口取代您的窗口吧。不过，我不建议您更换掉所有的窗户仅仅因为您会获得一个微小的草案。更换所有所有您的窗口，哪怕至只是一个，很容易累积到数千或数万个。相反，尝试嵌缝边缘的窗口或使用热塑料添加一个额外的绝缘层。更重要的是，虽然大部分的空气的逸出通过您的家庭的阁楼，地板和墙壁，没有窗户。尽你的能力去减少草稿或热损失通过窗口，但如果你真的要节约一大笔钱，让您的检索空间，阁楼和墙壁都装上绝缘层更好。
四，洗衣机和烘干机
目前只有两个词，我需要说，当谈到省钱洗衣机和烘干你的衣服：符合能源之星
研究显示，购买一平均能源之星洗衣机或烘干机将支付本身设备的寿命，并与成本上升，能源，这些研究可能更新以显示甚至更好的投资回报期！
如果您在市场上，前线负荷垫圈式洗衣机比顶装式更有效率，因为他们利用重力来清洁的衣服。也有高效率的顶装式洗衣机有新的可以运作的清洗系统。
至于干衣机，争取其中有一个水分传感器，当侦测到的衣服干燥会自动关闭干衣机。
五，冰箱
再次，能源之星标签规则在家用电器中，能源之星标准的冰箱比其他的产品有更多的绝缘，高效率的压缩机和更精确的温度控制。如果您有一个15年的冰箱，那么你就可以节省约50 ％的能源如果您切换到能源之星冰箱。冷冻比对方的更有效率。为什么？因为它的容易只是推动冷空气下来比对的一面。如果你离不开水/冰配药，那么，这样做，因为这只是一个冷空气的地方可以逃生。
一个小方法使冰箱有效率：真空压缩至少一次每年。您可能必须拧一盘从底部回冰箱，但保持它的自由的尘埃手段，它可以吸引更多的空气与较低的工作。当我们搬进我们家，我开启冰箱，看到一个四分之一英寸的一层灰尘和狗的头发在压缩机里！ ewww ！
六，厕所
不幸的是，很难找到一个厕所，它可以推低了良好的大中型矿床了，但是这是因为联邦的任务开始在1994年生效，它减少了百分之允许水冲洗约7加仑下降到约1.6 。但现在我不能想象，甚至使用7整个加仑每冲洗一次。但低流量的厕所，走过了漫长的道路，自1994年的型号以来。他们已经重新设计，以推动使用更多较少的水。而现在的一些厕所，甚至有一个选项，以清除与定量1.6加仑或经济0.9加仑。后者的选择将是伟大的“ 1号”刷新。如果您正在寻找特别的标签在座椅式便桶上，以帮助采购的经验，请核查WaterSense标签。这意味着厕所使用比现行国家标准少20 ％的水。
七，喷头
如果你想削减在淋浴时用水量的一半，就购买低流量的喷头。较新的模型模拟，其实高流量的单位不错，但是这么做可节省50 ％的水。就像厕所，较旧型号的许多用户关闭，但新型号有赎回，自己付出的成本（相比，窗口和电器）不算大，一发不可收拾，向硬件存储和抓斗一个或两个为你的房子。严重的是，到现在。您可以将此这篇文章稍后…
八，水龙头
据美国环保局，漏水的水龙头说，一滴水每秒可以浪费超过3000加仑的水每年。那是我们的游泳池四分之一的水也！就像莲蓬头及厕所，新型号的低流量水龙头可大幅减少您的用水量而没有看到或显着减少的表现。较旧型号的使用3-7加仑每分钟，而较新的低流量的模式，只使用2.2加仑每分钟。
九，洗碗机
（我的）陪审团是列于是否洗碗机是更好的不仅仅是洗涤碗盘手，但由于我们只来说，每周一次，但却没有拿出为认真的讨论。如果您绝对需要方便洗碗机（我不会说），选择一个更有效率的模式，有一个快速洗手（光能利用）循环，无热干燥选项，并可能延误启动控制，使调度靠近山顶的能源时代更容易（我们使用它我们的）。这些单位的成本更多，但偿还所有加上一些在长远。
十，炉子和烤箱
最后名单上是一个项目，我不亲自经常使用的，但是从我一定好处：火炉。我一直认为这种气体范围为更有效率比电动，但他们没有！气体范围有一个较长的预期寿命，但只有55 ％的天然气使用的能源直接煮食。说的相比， 80 ％的电力煮食。哇，你知道吗？（不回答这个问题smartypants ）
如果您在市场上一个新的炉灶/ 厨具，考虑一个不要引火火种的。一个需要引火火种的炉灶可以消耗掉双倍的能源每年！电动炉灶的坏处只有一个，开始烘炉如果电力熄灭，那么您的烹饪选项将终止。不过，这文章是关于节省金钱，而不是能够库克巧克力芯片的Cookie期间的启示。
总之，
. 经常出现的主题是能源之星标准， watersense ，低流量，以及良好的，旧的普通常识。不要丢弃了旧的设备或花上上千来取代您的炉，冷气机或Windows，简单说来是因为大家都在谈论如何效率低，你可能也是。如果您正在寻找为环境，往往影响作出新的窗口和折腾或循环再用旧的并不改善这种情况。相反，只有更换一个形式，你实际上需要更换项目，你的决定始终计算成本和效益。