- The steps that are taken to make a home more environmentally friendly can add up quickly. For example, one leaky faucet that drips once every 3 seconds can waste up to 900 gallons per year. If 1000 homes stopped just one leaky faucet, that would total almost 1 million gallons of water saved in a year. Properly disposing of electronics is also a simple way to protect the environment because when they are thrown out, mercury and other toxins in the equipment can leach into the environment.
- Water is one of the easiest resources to conserve. By checking the home for leaks, decreasing shower time and installing low-flow showerheads, lots of water can be saved, which translates in to savings on the water and sewer bills. Outside, a lawn can be a water guzzler. Only water when necessary, and water early in the morning to allow most of the water to reach the grass rather than evaporate. Using less fertilizer on grass also reduces the amount of water it needs to survive.
- Cutting down on electricity is another way to save money while saving the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, compact fluorescent light bulbs save about 75 percent of the energy used in traditional bulbs. Disconnect appliances when they are not being used. Even though they are turned off, they can still suck out electricity. Also, using cold water to wash clothes can save up to 85 percent of the energy required for a load of laundry because the washer does not have to heat the water, nor does it have to use hot water from the water heater. However, this adjustment can be controversial because cold water does not kill bacteria as effectively as hot water, so there is a trade-off.
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