Simple Choices

Choices that will Save the World

A lot of change can be made through little changes.

Greatest Impact

-$ � immediate cost savings
* � neither cost savings nor expenditure
$ � cost associated with the change is recovered within 5 years

� Lower your thermostat in the winter and raise it in the summer -$
� Avoid purchasing materials and packaging which requires high amounts of energy to produce (buy glass containers rather than plastic or aluminum) *
� Insulate your house and install double pane windows $
� Walk -- bike -- bus -- or carpool -$
� Add a greenhouse to the south face of your home $
� Buy less -$

Good Impact

� Use local plants to landscape your property (cost depends on many factors)
� Add deciduous plants on the south and west side along with evergreens on the north side of your house. $
� Buy organic or plant a garden $
� Read a book rather than watch TV -$
� Add appropriate overhangs to your house $
� Incorporate light shelves in south and west facing windows $
� Use natural materials in your building projects (for example use natural Cedar rather than arsenic- impregnated pressure treated wood) $
� Use rain barrels (cost depends on system)
� Occupy multi-family dwellings (occupied rooms on the other side of your wall means less heat loss) *
� Repair rather than replace items -$
� If you have a large yard, build a bio-swale to catch rainwater on the property $
� Buy recycled items *

Moderate Impact

� Use cold/lukewarm water for washing dishes and clothes -$
� Dry clothes on a clothes rack -$
� Go for a walk *
� Place a bench in front of your house
� Use nightlights in corridors to avoid the need to turn on lights simply to travel down the hallway $
� Use low flow faucets and shower heads $

More simple choices