By Jason Wall
Happy Earth Day. There are many small things you can do around our home to save a few dollars and live a little more lightly.
1) Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat prevents the furnace or heating system from running when it is not needed. You can program the thermostat for a lower temperature while you are away from home or cuddled under your blankets at night. Prices start at around $50.00 and are an easy do-it-yourself project.
2) Drink tap water. Go ahead grab one of those stainless steel water bottles and fill it up. Our tap water in the Seattle region is just fine.
3) Use eco-friendly paint. Traditional paint options contain VOC's, volatile organic compounds, that release harmful pollutants into the air. The options in low VOC paints are now numerous and most major paint retailers now offer them.
4) Clean the lint screen in your dryer. The lint collects in the filter and prevents air flow in the drying process, forcing your dryer to work harder. Clean out the lint trap and let the air flow. It is also a safety issue, as it can be a fire hazard.
5) Fix your leaky tap. A small drip from your leaky tap can waste 3 gallons of water a day!
A few small (and easy) changes can make a difference.
Diane Easley
Jason Wall
Danny Adamson
Karissa Webster
Glenn Roberts
Allen Jaworski
Claire Zaner
Carol Gabrielson
John "Mack" McCoy
Aune Tietz
Dan Goforth
Great tips, Jason! Along the same Earth Friendly lines, I learned more than I thought possible about washers & dryers from the technician who did the installation for a recent buyer of mine on Magnolia. Here are a couple of his quick & easy changes that over time can make a big difference on your pocketbook and your carbon footprint.
First, our water in Seattle is very soft, which means less soap is needed to do the same work as in hard water areas. For your dishwasher, dishpan, & laundry (even your personal soap & shampoo), less is more: use a quarter of the recommended amount.
Second, when doing laundry, to make sure drying time is maximized, don’t just separate your loads by color—wash the heavy items together & the light items together. When you move them to the dryer, shake them out so they are not starting out a wadded ball of wetness. Then, use the sensor setting on your dryer & you’ll get the right amount of drying every time—no wasted energy over-drying certain items in order to fully dry others. This method has the added benefit of being easier on your clothes—if they are not over-dried they will shrink less and last longer.
Move your water heater! Every eleven feet of 3/4" pipe is a gallon of cold water that has to be flushed before the warmth reaches you!