- 1. shut your tap
- While brushing your teeth, remember to turn off the faucet. If you're scrubbing for the dentist-advised two minutes and your spigot puts out the average three gallons per minute, you'll save six gallons.
- 2. unplug it
- It was revolutionary on MTV Unplugged, and it's still the way forward: Pull out cords for cell-phone chargers, microwaves and other "occasional" appliances when not in use.
- 3. buy in bulk
- Packaging can be seductive, but it's clogging landfills. Cut down on the excess by buying either jumbo containers that hold more or from bins of loose flour, rice, etc. Bonus: fewer gas-guzzling trips to the market.
- 4. turn down the thermostat
- Doing so not only conserves fuel and money (for every degree you lower it between 70° and 60°, you'll save about 5 percent on heating costs), but studies show it may also help you fall asleep more quickly and have a more restful night once you do.
- 5. ditch paper napkins
- An elegant way to conserve, cloth napkins save both kinds of green (that's money and trees). Wash in cold water and line-dry for bonus points.
- 6. cell block
- Cell phone reliably die at the worst possible moment, so don't go anywhere without Gaiam's inexpensive "SideWinder" portable charger. Two minutes of cranking yields five to six minutes of talk time. Seems crazy, but it works—and it's good exercise! Bonus feature: a small LED that's perfect for locating dropped keys in a dark movie theater.
- 7. say no to vampire power
- Intriguing as it sounds, "vampire power" sucks. A computer that's been turned off still drains the lifeblood from outlets, accounting for up to 10 percent of home-electricity use. Smart Home's new-generation #SCG3 Smart Power Strip actually stops the current, saving money and energy.
- 8. the convection connection
- Spacious and sophisticated enough to roast a chicken or bake a soufflé, Cuisinart's "Exact Heat" #TOB-195 convection oven saves energy by preheating and cooking faster than conventional ovens.
- 9. 'n sink
- A tea-drinker's dream: instant boiling water! The InSinkErator HC 1100 faucet, which connects to an under-sink tank, offers instant gratification and energy efficiency that beats the old stove-and-kettle method.
- 10. healthy venting
- Regulating temperature in a large room can be difficult. To keep the air fresh without letting in a draft, Honeywell offers a special fan called a heat recovery ventilator that sucks in and warms outside air before pumping it throughout the space.
