What You Can Do!

Think smaller...

If you are planning to build a new home, think smaller. Smaller homes are more efficient and because they have to be planned more creatively to account for traffic patterns, space and storage, they can be much more architecturally interesting than larger structures. You can also try:

• INSTANT WATER HEATING... Install a tankless, instant water heater inside the cabinet under your kitchen sink if your hot-water tank is located some distance from your kitchen, and you typically have to run the water a long time before it turns hot. This will save considerable water and energy.
• DECREASE YOUR LAUNDRY... Only wash full loads of laundry. Here's where owning more of something can actually help you conserve water and energy use at home. Go ahead and buy an extra set of bath towels and bed sheets so you won't have to run small loads of laundry when your only set is in need of cleaning.
• DRYING RACKS... Use a drying rack for delicate or lightweight items. Items that can and should be air-dried include lightweight synthetics, wool, silk and wool/silk blend fabrics. Diverting such fabrics from the dryer will help lighten dryer loads for more rapid drying and extend the life of fabrics that will air-dry overnight.

Decrease Waste Water

• TURN OFF THE TAP... To save water in the shower, turn the water off while you lather up. If you're handy, you may want to install a water-control valve on your shower head. The advantage of a valve is that it keeps the water (hot and cold) mixed while shut off.
  
• FIX LEAKY TAPS... In fact, leaks waste so much water that you should check for leaks. To check for leaks, turn off all water in the house. Next, read your water meter, wait one hour (make sure no water is turned on during this period), and read the meter again. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak. Fixing leaks you can identify may be as simple as replacing a washer or tightening a connection. If you do have to hire a plumber to locate and/or fix a leak, the money will be offset by the savings on your water bill.
  
• FIX SLOW DRAINS... Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain and follow it with half a cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for twenty minutes to a half hour, then pour boiling water down the drain (about two quarts).
  
• SAVE WATER... If you have a non-conserving toilet (a 3.5 gallon flush or greater), retrofit the toilet with a water-saving device. There are several options that you can discuss with your local hardware professional, but an easy and quick fix involves placing one or two weighted bottles in the toilet tank to displace water flushed. Fill one-quart plastic beverage bottles with water for each non-conserving toilet in your home, and submerge first one, then two if necessary, inside each toilet tank. With each flush you will save water equal to the amount you've displaced, and thousands of gallons a year. Note: Be sure the bottle does not interfere with the operating parts.
  
• DISHWASHER... Use the dishwasher only for full loads for the most efficient water use. If you have a small number of dishes or pans to clean, wash them by hand. You'll save the most water by filling a basin with just three to four inches of water, stacking the dishes as you wash them and then rising them quickly under a light stream of water.
  
• USE LEFTOVER WATER... Reuse water leftover after common household uses to water plants instead of pouring it down the drain (e.g. from a double broiler, washing produce, steaming vegetables, cooking pasta, soaking beans, soaking frozen meat in its packaging, etc.). Transfer leftover water to a watering can for later use. Make sure water is cool before using it to water plants.
  
• WATER FOR CLEANING... Instead of running the water while cleaning, fill a bucket with water and a general-purpose cleaner and scrub down sinks and showers completely before rinsing. To rinse shower walls, fill a watering can with water and pour water along the top of the walls, letting the water wash away soap and grime.

Reduce Waste

• GREEN BUILDING... Source green building materials. Choosing lower-impact products for home-improvement projects can reduce toxins in the home and environment, reduce waste and preserve natural resources.
  
• SHOWER CURTAINS... Take the following steps to get the longest life out of a vinyl shower curtain: Stretch the curtain closed completely after a shower to eliminate folds where moisture cannot easily evaporate. Open the bathroom door and a window, if possible, after exiting the shower to allow steam to dissipate. Run the exhaust fan for five minutes following a shower.
  
• REDUCE PAINT POLUTION... Reduce pollution from paint application by using brushes and rollers instead of sprayers. If you are determined to use a sprayer, use a High-Volume/Low-Pressure (HVLP) spray gun. As the name suggests, a high volume of air at low pressure is used to atomize paint and this reduces overspray and improves transfer efficiency. These guns are capable of a transfer efficiency of 65 percent of greater.
  
• PAINT STORAGE... If you have leftover paint, save it for future use. Properly sealed and stored, paint will last for years. Just clean the lip of the can thoroughly, secure the lid tightly, and store the paint can upside down to create a tight seal around the lid and keep the paint fresh until you need it again. If you cannot clean the lip and lid thoroughly, transfer paint to glass jars. Finally, store your paint in a cool place, but where it won't freeze. Even when you can't use it or don't want it anymore, leftover paint can be donated.
  
• FLOOR COVERINGS... Use wool floor coverings instead of synthetic alternatives; they are more durable and easier to clean. Wool can be expensive, though. Find bargains on wool carpet by looking through remnants at local carpet outlets. Remnants are often marked down by as much as 60 percent or more and the sizes can be adequate to carpet an average room-or have the edges bound to create an area rug.
  
• WET CLEANING... Use professional wet cleaning instead of dry cleaning. Most dry cleaners use perchloroethylene (PERC) to clean clothes and it is toxic. Wet cleaning has been used on fabrics such as wool, linen, silk, rayon with excellent results, and wet cleaning prices are the same as for dry cleaning.