Going green is fashionable, but how easy is it to do? Many small changes that you can make in your everyday life will add up to a big impact on the environment - and a positive impact on your bank balance.
Simple ways to save the world
Plug in to efficiency: Your computer, monitor, printer or other electronic hardware sucks power out of your outlets even when it's inactive. The best solution is to plug each component into a device that prevents useless power drain. BITS Limited's Smart Strip powers your PC and your peripherals at the same time.
And when you turn off your PC, the strip automatically suspends power to all other devices you aren't using.
Another option, Watt Stopper's IDP-3050 power strip, has a motion sensor that turns its outlets on when the strip senses someone in the room - and off when no one is there.
At home: Every light in your house uses energy. Lighting-control systems such as Watt Stopper's Wall Switch Vacancy Sensors can replace your light switches with motion sensors that turn lights on when they detect people in a room.
More-comprehensive systems such as Green Switch can reduce your energy costs by at least 25 percent by retrofitting your house with a master switch for simultaneously turning off all light switches, wall plugs, and air-conditioning systems you put under its control.
Outdoors: Water conservation is becoming a major issue. WeatherTrak provides a service to regulate your lawn-watering system, reducing water use and runoff.
The company's irrigation system will automatically schedule watering based on the soil type and slope of your lawn along with data gathered from local weather stations and NOAA satellites.
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