Q: My family is very “green.” Do you have any money saver tips that also help the environment? – Ellis Eco
Dear Mr. Eco: While this is a bit out of my purview, I’ve checked into your query and come up with a few very easy ideas to help both your wallet and this ole’ planet of ours, thanks to, among others, RealSimple magazine. Hope these help.
Ellen Phillips* Use bar soap. Studies show that body wash used regularly require five times more energy for raw-material production and almost 20 times more energy for packaging than traditional bar soap. Our old-fashioned washing up, while not the most fashionable, has a much lower environmental impact and even better, uses less product than liquid or gels. The same studies found that bathers use almost seven times as much liquid soap when washing their hands. Imagine the waste in a nice, long shower.
* Electronic settings eat up energy (and costs). Think about the amount of electronic devices we use in a single day. From watching television to desk top computer use – and everything in between – consumers spend billions of dollars each year on electricity unaware of the waste incurred. Research shows simple ways to help this problem. Take smart TVs: Simply disable the quick-start function to salvage extra power. Or cut energy use for any regular television by up to 50 percent by selecting the “home” mode rather than “retail.” Since the latter is meant for a bright store display, that mode isn’t necessary for home viewing.
* Wash at night. Dishwashers and washing machines eat up a lot of energy by producing heat and humidity. During the summer months, this production fights with your air conditioner and your checkbook. Many utility companies charge higher rates during the daytime. Between 8 p.m. and midnight are the best times for this chore, with the best hours ending around sunrise. To be certain of your electricity’s peak hours, check with your provider and avoid those times if possible.