Save Energy, Save Money

You can save a good amount of money on your energy bills by making a few easy choices in your household.
1. Change all your lightbulbs to CFLs. Now even those hard to fit chandelier and recessed lighting bulbs are readily available in CFL. The difference in energy consumption is staggering, 40%. Compact Florescent Bulbs are an investment that will last over a year. The upfront cost may be more, but the long term savings pays for itself.
2. Wash all laundry in cold water. There is no need to wash anything in hot water. Your clothes, towels and sheets will get just as clean. The energy used to heat water is a major portion of your bill.
3. Hang laundry in the sun to dry. Go further than just washing in cold water, and let the sun take care of the rest. Clothes dryers aren't even available with the Energy Star rating they are such energy suckers. Evidently, the sun is a great stain remover (which will keep you from using those chemical products like "Spray N Wash").
4. Skip the bottled water. Bottled water is not really any cleaner or more pure than most municiple water systems. You are better off investing in a water filtration system, like Pur or Brita, than buying bottled water. You can make a huge impact in lessoning your footprint with this choice. Not only does the water go through some processing, but energy is consumed in the making and transporting of the bottles. Plus, plastic bottles will hang out forever in a landfill. And, the tops are not recyclable. Bring a stainless steel (not plastic) beverage container with you and refill it throughout the day.
5. Join a CSA (community supported agriculture). Buy locally grown food. By supporting local farmers, you can make a tremendous impact on your ecological footprint. Produce is schlept all over the world to end up on your table. Ever notice the beautiful strawberries in December? Well, that is because they are grown on the other side of the planet and shipped to your town.

These are just a few easy things you can do to lighten your ecological impact and be sustainably chic. Thinking that includes understanding of where items originate and the environmental impact of manufacturing and transportation with decisions based on minimal environmental degradation is what sustainably chic is all about. Green is the next generation of Earth friendly culture...