STRETCHINGpeas Taking Simple Green Steps At Home Pays | (NAPSA)—Could you use an extra $1,500 or so? Whether you think global warming is real or not, that’s about how much it works out you'd save in a year just by taking little green steps at home. “Think of it as the light green movement,” says one observer. Experts aren’t suggesting any- thing major such as installing home solar panels, which requires a sizeable financial investment upfront. They’re talking more like simple “tweaks” to just a few things you buy andtheservices you use. Some savings are rather large. Others may mainly impress those most into reducing the amount of natural resources they consume. Here’s how they came up with the $1,500 figure: Tap Into It. If you’re paying $10 a week for bottled water, say, that works out to $520 a year. A waterfilter for your tap? About $29. Dial it Down. Simply switching your washing machine’s dial from hot to warm water cuts energy use by 50 percent per load, saving about $63 a year. Turn Over a New Leaf. Many people think green products cost more and do less; however, new, more eco-friendly solutions perform as well as traditional alternatives, at comparable cost. One example: the Scott brand’s line of Scott Naturals bathroom tissue, paper towels and napkins, which are made with a sensible blend of recycled and virgin fibers to deliver the quality you need to get the job done right without having to use—or spend—more. Banish Vampire Appliances. Many small appliances and home electronics use electricity even when switched off. By unplugging one not-in-use TV, computer monitor and printer, you’d save over $70 a year. Taking a few small steps could be good for the Earth and your wallet. Water, Water Everywhere. A low-flow showerhead costs under $20 and can save 750 gallons of water, per person, each month, while reducing your utility bill by $250 a year. By Degrees. Every degree you raise your thermostat in the summer cuts air-conditioning bills by 2 percent. Lowering the temperature by one degree in winter saves 3 percent on heatingbills. By installing a programmable thermostat, you’d be ahead by about $100 a year. See the Light. Switch from traditional incandescent light bulbs to CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) throughout your home for potential savings of up to $100 a year on yourelectricbill. Grandmother Knew Best. Foregoing the clothes dryer for online outdoor/indoor hanging reaps about $10 monthly. Insulate Yourself. Boosting attic insulation can reduce heating and cooling energy bills by an average $350 a year. Wrapping an insulating blanket around your hot water heater can save over $20 annually. For more green money-saving tips, visit www.scottnaturals.com.
