Recent Green Weeks:
October 31:
Wait Until the Machine is Full
October 24:
Turn off Electronics When They're not in Use
Or, Even Better, Unplug Them!
November 14:
Prevent Chimney Drafts
October 17:
Make Your Heater More Efficient
October 10:
Repair Instead of Replacing
October 3:
Program Your Thermostat
September 26:
Dispose of Prescription Drugs Safely
September 19:
Give Carpooling a Try
September 12:
Set the Water Heater to 120 Degrees
September 5:
Cook More Efficiently
August 29:
Use Cold Water for Laundry
August 22:
Find New Uses for Old Phones
August 8:
"Bee" Kind to Pollinators: Limit or Avoid Pesticide Use
August 1:
Reduce Waste: End Junk Mail!
July 25:
Encourage Pollination: Help Bees!
July 18:
Use Less Oil: Walk or Bike at Least Once this Week Instead of Driving
July 11:
Water Lawns and Outdoor Plants in the Morning or Evening Only
July 4:
Practice Safe Souvenir Buying
June 20:
Reuse Paper Scraps
June 13:
Safely Dispose of Hazardous Wastes
June 6:
Give New Life to Old Stuff
May 30:
Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaners
May 23:
Find Ways to Consume Less
May 16:
Reuse your food scraps and yard waste: make compost!
May 9:
Make Sure Your Seafood's Sustainable
May 2:
Use a Low Flow Showerhead
April 25:
Reduce Weight in your Vehicle
April 18:
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
April 11:
Switch to Fluorescent Bulbs
April 4:
Buy in Bulk
March 28:
Unplug Your Appliances When They're Not in Use!
March 21:
Turn Off Your Engine Instead of Idling Your Car
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Prevent Chimney Drafts
What to do:
Fireplaces are designed to direct air up the chimney. Don't let them steal away the air you're paying to heat!
First of all, make sure the fireplace flue is closed whenever the fireplace isn't being used.
Secondly, take extra precautions to prevent air from escaping. Closing the flue helps keep heated air inside, but flues are not necessarily airtight. You can buy a chimney balloon or fireplace plug to further daft-proof your fireplace. These inflatable balloons, which cost about fifty dollars, can be placed up the chimney in order to seal off airflow and can be removed whenever the fireplace is used. Chimney balloons can be ordered online, and fireplace plugs are available through some home improvement stores.
Why it Helps the Earth:
The fossil fuel burning power plants that produce most of the United States' electricity are also one of the biggest producers of greenhouse gasses. The more energy you save, the more emissions and pollution you prevent. Since heating and cooling is usually the biggest source of home energy use, sealing air leaks can have a big impact on your home's carbon footprint.
What the Research Says:
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, chimneys account for 14 percent of home air leaks. To see if your chimney is leaking air, hold a smoking candle near your fireplace on a windy day and see if the smoke gets pulled toward the chimney.
Why it Helps You:
Because burning through your heating money by letting it go up the chimney doesn't make sense!
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Last Revision: November 15, 2010