Reduce electricity Consumption

when you switch off TV , VCR or DVD player using the remote then also there is power loses so unplug this equipment when not in use.



Use a motion sensor for outside lighting. This helps to save energy and use lights only when light is required rather than keeping light on for whole night.

Turn off the monitor when your computer is unattended, for instance when downloading files overnight, listing songs or going away from your desk.

Use bulbs and other electric apparatus that consume comparably less electricity.

Replace old home appliance with energy star home appliance. Research and collect information on energy star equipments and energy saved by using them.

Switch off lights and fans when not in use.Set the monitor to automatically shut off or switch to standby mode when idle

LED Lights to Save Electricity

Many towns and cities are saving money on their power bills by changing from incandescent light bulbs to light-emitting diode (LED) lights. LED lamps are used for both general lighting and special purpose lighting.CFL consume 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. While LED bulbs use less electricity than both CFL and incandescent bulbs.

• A building’s carbon footprint from lighting can be reduced by 60 to 70 per cent by switching to LED lighting.

• In some states government offers incentives or rewards for supporting green living and reduce carbon footprint.

• LED lights supports timer and Timer for lights or electronic equipments in your apartment enables you to save electricity when they are not in use.

Read More at
http://www.commonfloor.com/articles/led-lights-to-save-electricity-for-your-apartment

Save water, Energy and Environment

Exercise in natural surroundings: Exercises like walking, jogging, cycling, hiking or simple rhythmic body movements in natural surroundings is more healthy and refreshing than exercising in the gym. It also saves precious electric energy.

Stop Polluting water: Throwing chemicals in the trash or down the drain means they might end up back in your water supply and come back to haunt you.

Get a roommate: According to the research, people who live in one-person households are the biggest consumers of energy, land and household goods—such as washing machines, refrigerators, televisions and stereos—per capita.Get a roommate or find some other way to expand your household.

Borrow things: Instead of buying things which you only need once in a while, you can borrow things from your neighbor, people in your apartment, office or in any other network.

Go Green with Soy Candles: Soy candles are free of petroleum, unlike conventional wax candles, and are nearly soot-free so they won’t pollute the air in your apartment or leave those nasty smoke marks on your walls. They burn up to 50% longer than wax candles and cost about the same.

Reduce waste and Save environment

The majority of the waste ends up in landfill or as litter. Either way, household waste is an environmental problem. Here are tips for you to reduce waste and promote green living.

• Food scraps and garden waste can be composted:The easiest way to deal with food waste is to set up a worm farm and/or a compost heap at your home. And you don't necessarily need a big garden to do this. Apartment dwellers can set up small worm farms on a balcony or a communal compost heap on the ground somewhere.Most food scraps (but not meat or dairy) and garden waste can be composted.

• Reusable products or packaging: Try to only buy products that are reusable or come in reusable packaging - and actually reuse them. Take your own cup when buying a coffee or drink.The best solution to waste is to avoid it in the first place.Avoid altogether items that are designed to be used once only

• Avoid an air-based holiday: Aeroplanes are one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse pollution. In particular, they emit high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and water vapor. For your next vacation discover the secrets of your own state rather than taking an air-based holiday, or travel overland by train or bus.

• Think about what you need: Throwing food away costs more than just the money you paid for it, you're also wasting all the water, energy and other resources that went in to producing the food in the first place.Think about what you need and use what's in the fridge, freezer or pantry before you eat out or get take away.

• Switching to Green Power: Switching to Green Power is the best way to cut your greenhouse pollution in the home. When you switch, you'll see no change in the way electricity comes to your house and there is no supply disruption. The only difference is that for a small extra charge, some or all of the electricity that you use will come from a renewable energy source and directly reduce greenhouse pollution.

Support green living and teach your kids to support green living

Supporting green living is not just healthier for the environment - it's healthier for people, too.

• Stop using Lysol or air fresheners of any kind - Whether it's diaper duty or stinky gym shoes, moms use a lot of air freshening sprays to make their homes livable. Think about the harsh chemicals and the aerosol cans used for conventional air fresheners.

• Use biodegradable, concentrated, plant-based cleaners - You have probably seen some concentrated cleaning products and detergents, in grocery stores, but very few of them are made from plant derived products or are biodegradable. So, concentrated versions of harmful or harsh solvents are still not truly green, although they are a bit better because you use less of them.

• Dress appropriately for the weather:The bulk of your energy bill is NOT going to lighting, but to heating and cooling.You use less heating power in the winter and less cooling power in the summer if you simply teach your children to dress appropriately for the weather.

• Spend more time at home - The less gas you burn driving around town when you spend more time in home.spending more time at home is healthier for mind, body, soul, and planet. It gives you more control over what influences your children, and it saves you money.

• Say no to plastic bag: Say "No bag, thank you." Whether you're buying toys, snacks, or clothes, tell the checkout person you don't need a bag.

• Eat more raw foods - Simply put, if you cook less, you'll use less energy. You will also retain more vitamins and nutrients in the food you and your children eat.

Spread the Word to Save Environment

Your word has power of saving the environment. We all know that our country is one of the nations that are facing the problem of global warming. You can share your tips with your friends, teachers, neighbors or relatives. You can ask more tips from them. This enables you to spread green living or ideas among your friends and neighbors. Here are some tips for you to share with your friends, relatives or neighbors.

• Don’t place your fridge in a warm spot-near a heater or in direct sunlight.

• For efficient operation clean the condenser coils on the back or bottom of your fridge at least once a year.

• Unlike refrigerators, with freezers size does matter. Larger freezers do need more electricity.

• Don’t waste energy preheating your oven, most ovens don’t need it.

• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs). Compact fluorescents use four times less energy, and last eight times longer than incandescent light bulbs.

• Wish your friends and relatives on special occasion with e-card. This is cheapest and easiest way to wish them. Save paper by sending e-card.

You can share your tips with your friends, teachers, neighbors or relatives. Learn one green tip each day and adopt green living in your life. Reduce wastage and reduce your carbon footprint in the world. Your word has power to change the world. Help friends and seek help from your friends to save environment.

"R" factor for saving Energy

Replace old drafty windows with new ones that have insulated glass. Check all of your doors and windows to see that they are properly fitted and that there is no missing stripping. If there is something wrong, fix it now instead of later.

Replace older water heaters with a newer energy efficient model and be sure to wrap it with a special water heater wrap. Conserving water is another way to conserve electricity.

Replace old showerheads with new ones or use flow restrictors. Check your plumbing for signs of leaks and if there are any leaks fix them immediately.

Replace old appliances with new energy efficient models and be sure to look for the Energy Star rating. Cover all foods and liquids in your refrigerator and freezer to help avoid compressor overload.

Replace all of the old light bulbs in your home or office with new energy efficient ones. Electricity conservation can be easy when you stop to think about it. Unplugging small appliances when they are not in use, turning off phantom power by unplugging electronics such as television sets when they are not in use and shutting down your computer when it is not in use are all great ways

Green living in your daily life

Watch that idle time: Letting your engine idle for more than 30 seconds will burn more gasoline than restarting the engine, so turn the engine off if you expect a lengthy wait.

Take a break from driving. Consider walking, biking, taking a bus or carpooling whenever feasible. And if you have more than one vehicle, drive the one with the best gas mileage whenever you can.

Use pressure cooker: Using pressure cooker saves the LPG consumed & your gas cylinder runs for a longer time.

Say No to Polythene bags: Polythene bags are a complete menace to environment through its whole life cycle. They block air and hence does not let your fruit and vegetables breathe.

Plant trees in waste lands: Small pieces of unused land should be used to plant trees.

Support green living and save earth for future generation

Go paperless at work: Distribute company information and post company material online.

Put your seat belt before starting engine: On average we waste fuel by starting the engine and then putting on a seat belt.

Use public transport on your way to airport: Most hub and regional airports have good public transport links, which means you can catch the bus or train instead of driving to the airport and adding to your carbon footprint even more

Don’t charge electrical off car battery: It might be convenient, but charging your iPod / mobile / laptop / whatever off the car battery greatly increases fuel consumption.

Alternate source of electricity: Depend less on your utility company and produce electricity in your home from alternate source such as wind, sun etc and beat power cut.

Dual piping for apartment: Residents can use one pipe for drinking, bathing and utensil cleaning where other pipe will bring in rain water and treated water for toilet, lawns, washing cars, floors etc. This will enables to save 40% of potable water.

Useful Links

Green Tips for you

Easy Green Living

Before you say "I do" ...think green.

Reduce Carbon Footprint with Green Home

Green home reduces wastage of natural resource and save environment and your money. Green living is the mantra or secret of saving earth or environment. Green home enables you to reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some tips for making or converting your home to green home.

• Eat Organic Food: If you have a chance to eat organic food, do so because it will prevent food producers from using pesticides and other dangerous chemicals. Choose local organic food where available, because organic food uses less energy to produce than non-organic alternatives.

• Clean Your Fridge: Refrigerators use a tremendous amount of energy every year. To cut down on waste, clean the condenser coils every year. Also, do not keep the temperature unnecessarily low.

• Buy Recyclable Products: When deciding between products, pick the one that can be recycled rather than sent to a landfill when you are done using it.

• Close Vents and Doors of Unused Rooms: Close all the air vents and the door in the unused room. By doing this, your heating and cooling systems will not have to work harder to regulate extra space that just goes unused anyway.

• Donate Goods: If you no longer need something that might be useful to someone else, try to donate the goods rather than throwing them away.

• Use Compact Fluorescent Lamps: CFL lamps can be used instead of using traditional bulbs. CFL consumes less electricity and emits less heat. This helps to keep room temperature cool and make a good saving on your monthly utility bills

Green living for saving money and saving earth

Environment and living beings depends each other for its existence. Living being needs adequate air, water, food and shelter for living comfortable. Green living is lifestyle which reduces wastage of natural resources such as water, energy and helps to reduce pollution or polluting environment. Green living not only helps to save environment but also helps to save money spend for acquiring them. Here are some tips for saving money and save environment.

• Carry your own shopping bag: Instead of accepting polythene bags to hold the stuff you buy routinely from shops carry your own shopping bag. Your shopping bag can preferably be recyclable (cloth or paper based).

• Use pressure cooker for cooking food: Using pressure cooker saves the LPG consumed & your gas cylinder runs for a longer time. You save money too. Also the nutrition of food is preserved.

• Use natural light to save on electricity bill: In daytime, don't make the room dark and then use the Electric lamps. Instead, use the Sunlight in the daytime. One can reduce the Elec.bill to a great extent.

• Take care of trees and plants in your neighborhood: Don’t be oblivious to trees and plants around you. Adopt a tree in your area and water it regularly.

• Reduce, Re-Use and Re-cycle: In short, Just Remember, Reduce, Re-Use and Re-cycle should be the mantra in each one's life for Green Living.

Tips for Teaching Kids for Green Living

Children are very interested to learn new things and what they learn in childhood will develop with them when they grow. Teaching green living tips and importance of green living will help your kids know more about earth and environment. Teaching green living to your kids indirectly helps you to learn more things with them. Here are some tips for teaching your kids green living.

Opportunity to grow their own: Give them some space in your balcony or indoor to grow their own plants. Teach them how to grow plants by watering them regularly, giving adequate soil and sunlight for plants growth.

Books and story: Help them to read books about the value of earth and environment. Tell them moral stories which show importance of plants and avoiding wastage. If possible ask them to briefly describe what they understand by reading the book or listening story.

TV shows: National geographic and animal plants are kids some of favorite channels. This will help them to know more about living beings, plants and environmental. You can also show your children birds and animals in and around your neighborhood.

Green Lifestyle: When teaching your kids importance of green living, one and all members in family must adopt green lifestyle. Kids often watch what their elders do and follow like them. Switch off lights, save water and recycle things. Teach your kids why you are doing. This will help them to follow green living as and when they grow.

When teaching kids about green living, you must also adopt the same. For example, you may teach children not to dispose plastic and you do the same will confuse the children. When teaching your kids for green living, teach them about nature and its importance for living beings. These small lessons will enable your kid to adopt green living in their life.

Green Living in Office

Green living is the secret or mantra of current world which reminds you to save environment and prevent unnecessary wastage. Green living can be easily adopted in homes and office. In office there are number of things which you can do to avoid unnecessary wastage. Here are some tips for you to adopt green living in office.

• One cup in office: Use a mug or glass for your drink and avoid using disposable cups. You can tell your friends in your office the secret of using the mug or glass. Gradually they will also do the same and helps to reduce wastage of disposal cups.
• Carpool: When you going to and from office give lift or accept lift from your colleagues or friends. This helps to save fuel and reduce number of vehicle in parking lot of company. Carpool is successfully practiced in metropolitan cities.
• Use Laptop: Laptop consumes less energy comparing to personal computer or desktop computers. Laptop plays vital role in saving energy and more the employee’s use the laptop more you will get space on your desk.
• Use printer wisely: Thousands of trees are cut daily to make paper, do not waste paper. When you take any photocopy or print, think whether it is important and if it is optional avoid printing and save them in your computer or email id.
• Use step: when you get down from first or second floor to ground floor, use step than using lift. Use step for one or more day to see the difference.
• Stick to it: When adopting green living, your friends or colleagues may make fun but later they will realize the same and adopt green living
  
• Switch off: Switch off fans and lights when you go for break and when you leave your office, switch off computer, printer and other electronics.
• Recycled paper: Recycle papers are easily available nowadays. Remember to use used paper to make rough works and save paper.

Green living is simple and easy if you really want to make your life green living. Knowingly or unknowingly some green living methods may have become part of our life. Do not think green living is something as new, just adopt them when you do your routine work.