In the last poll I asked for your opinion on  living green (environmentally friendly). After receiving many comments (and questions regarding the definition of “green” for the purpose of this poll), I’m not surprised that 75% of the respondents try to be “green” most of the time, being concerned about their impact on the environment.

What surprised me is that only 8% of folks answering the questions think that “green” is just a fad and a way of squeezing more money out of people. In my opinion there is a lot of green washing out there, and we should be doing an in-depth research before buying goods that claim to be green, sustainable, recycled, etc. My special concern goes to products with high embodied energy ( which are transported long-distance, e.g. overseas). One of such is bamboo, in which case the benefits from using this rapidly renewable material are outweighed by its embodied energy (transported mostly from Asia).

Only 17% of the poll’s respondents say they would like to be eco-conscious, but they think it is time-consuming and expensive. I guess, nowadays almost everyone realizes that “living green is not even an option” (I’m borrowing from one of the answers). It actually does not matter if you believe in global warming or offsetting your carbon footprint.

In the words taken from another comment: “Hopefully, when today’s very young [reach] our age, they won’t have to answer polls like this because it will be the way they live”. I’m sure it will be so, especially when we’ll be a good example for them.

Old but good: Blue Man Group’s lesson on global warming

What does energy conservation mean to you?
Is it the monthly amount you’re keeping in your pocket, instead of paying a high utility bill? Or is it a gloomy vision of global warming, polluting power plants, and acid rain?

Whatever your reason, if you choose to save energy, you are making a wise choice. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical U.S. family spends more than $2,000 a year on home utilities. Moreover, fossil fuel-generated electricity used yearly by an average-size home puts more CO2 into the air than two cars.

So how can you conserve energy in your own home?
Here are some of the most significant and cost-effective ways:

• insulate walls, floors and ceilings
• seal air leaks around windows and doors, so heated or cooled air can’t escape
• plant a tree to shade your windows which will reduce the need for air conditioning
• use multi-layered window treatments for better protection against heat transfer through the window
• install a programmable thermostat to easily control indoor temperature
• close heating vents and doors in unused rooms



photo from Stock Photos

• lower water heater temperature to 120° F
• take showers instead of full baths
• clean air filters on your air heating and cooling system for more efficient operation
• buy only energy-efficient appliances for your household; they may cost more, but the savings on your utilities will soon compensate for additional cost
• wash only full loads of clothes and dishes
• use energy-saving settings on your dishwasher, washing machine and dryer
• when not in use, turn off your computer and monitor
• plug all home theater components ( TV, DVD players, etc) into power strips; turn the power strips off when you aren’t using the equipment
• use compact fluorescent light bulbs or LED lamps
• install dimmers on your light fixtures; not only will you save energy, but also extend the life of the light bulbs
• turn off the lights when leaving a room, or install motion controlled switches

Educate yourself and others about energy efficiency. For more tips on saving energy, read the Energy Savers Booklet by the U.S. Department of Energy. And share your knowledge and ideas with your family, friends, and neighbors.