George Minor Diggs

Save Money
Save the Planet Tips

A few of many possible individual actions

from a talk for Earth Day 2009

I. SAVE ENERGY
Energy audit (informal or professional)

Insulation
1) blown in loose fill (cellulose, fiberglass)
2) fiber glass (rolls, blankets)
3) environmentally friendly cotton batts
4) rigid board
5) spray foam

Radiant Barrier (foil or spray on; check efficiency)

Check & repair weatherstripping & caulking

Programmable thermostat

Install fluorescent lighting (use 75% less energy; lasts up to 10 X as long; costs more initially---good example---75 watt bulb will save $30 over its lifetime & 1/2 ton CO2)Turn off appliances when not in use (computer at night can save $90 per year---U.S. Dept. of Energy)

Use ventilating fans sparingly (in 2-3 hours you can loose a house’s worth of heat)

Clean/replace furnace filters; close flue

Check heating/AC ductwork in attic & tune-up
Turn off appliances when not in use (computer at night can save $90 per year---U.S. Dept. of Energy)

Use ventilating fans sparingly (in 2-3 hours you can loose a house’s worth of heat)

Clean/replace furnace filters; close flue

Check heating/AC ductwork in attic & tune-upHot water heater (efficiency, jacket, temperature - 120º; tankless/on-demand)

Energy Star appliances (app. & elect. about 20%)

Double pane/high-efficiency/“low-E” glass windows

High efficiency heating & AC system

Trees---natural way of saving energy; place so as to reduce sun/heat on west and south sides

II. YARDS, GARDENING, LANDSCAPING

1) Don’t use toxins/synthetic pesticides & synthetic fertilizers
2) Think soil

A) add compost
B) expanded shale & decomposed granite
C) Don’t use chemical toxins or synthetic fertilizers
D) mulch around your plants (saves water)

3) Think drainage

A) use raised beds
B) ensure drainage (e.g., add a french drain)

4) Compost
5) Chose appropriate plants - native or adapted
6) Develop a water plan and irrigate in a smart way
7) Harvest rainwater

III. SENSIBLE USE OF WATER

1) Be aware --- brushing teeth, shaving
2) Put a bottle of water (not a brick) in older toilets
3) Low flow toilets, shower heads
4) Use spray irrigation at night (in Dallas > 20% savings); 10am to 6 pm restrictions
5) Rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, different zones in irrigation systems

IV. REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

1) Reduce our energy use
2) Switch to renewable sources of energy (e.g., wind, solar)
3) Reduce, recycle, reuse --- so that so many things don’t have to be made

WHAT CAN WE DO IN GENERAL

“Think globally, act locally” (energy habits, pesticides, native plants in your landscape, recycling, help educate others, save water, support local parks, etc.)

Join organizations – power in numbers (great variety---Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace, Natural Resources Defense Council); many “flavors”

Volunteer activities

Political action (make yourself aware, vote, write representatives)

Economic voice (e.g., “dolphin safe” tuna; choice of other products–consider the impact); “Vote” with your dollars

Financial support for environmental efforts