Celebrated on April 22, Earth Day is a global holiday which brings awareness to environmental issues. Today we will address some easy and low cost ways to go green in your home year round. Conserving environmental resources will reduce your energy bills and provide more resources for the next generation.

Unplug Adapters
Do you turn off your computer and monitor when not in use? How about your TV and DVD players? Consumer electronics account for 15% of the average households electricity use. Many electronics use energy even after they have been switched off. Make sure to unplug adapters (like phone chargers) when they aren’t in use. Also use a power strip and turn it off when you’re done. It will save money and electricity.

Scrape Your Plate
Scrape your dishes off instead of rinsing them. Rinsing dirty dishes uses water and energy. Typically all you need to do is scrape the dishes and the wash cycle will take care of the rest. Also make sure to run the dishwasher only when you have enough dishes for a full load.

Don’t Wash Away Savings
It may seem like a small thing but hot water accounts for approximately 90% of the energy used by washing machines. Switching to cold water can save more than $30 a year. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the average household can save 3,400 gallons of water a year by running full laundry loads instead of half loads.

Leave Your Laundry Out To Dry
How you dry your clothes also impacts energy use. Consider air-drying clothes on a line or drying rack. Just like your washing machine, filling your clothes dryer is important. You want make sure you have a full load, but don’t overload it. Your clothes will dry faster when they have room to tumble. Over-drying wears out your clothes and wastes energy. Sort your dryer loads; dry towels and heavy cotton in a separate load from lighter weight items.
Cleaning the lint filter in the dryer after every load ensures proper air circulation. This simple step also can save you up to $34 each year. Clean your dryer vent at least once a year to ensure it is not blocked. This prevents fire and saves energy.

Stop the Leaks
About one-third of energy loss in U.S. homes could be stopped by such simple moves as caulking and insulating. Caulking and weatherstripping are two techniques to reduce air leaks in and out of your home. They are cost-effective, low tech strategies that cut heating and cooling costs, increase comfort, and create a healthier indoor environment. Caulk can be used to seal cracks and openings such as around door and window frames, whereas weatherstripping is a great way to seal doors, operable windows, and other moving components.