Planning for a "Green" New Year

New Year's Day is a great time to make a resolution to live a "greener" and more environmentally conscious life. It's really not that hard, especially if you take the time to choose one or two areas to focus on. If you are just starting out, it can be best to select environmental initiatives that are a good fit for your family. Then, once you've developed a few good habits, it will be easier to add other environmental friendly activities to your family routine as you go along. Here are three ideas you can use to help ring in a more environmentally friendly New Year.

Use Less Water

Most families discover that it's actually easy to find ways to use less water. Start by surveying your home for areas where water is potentially wasted. If you have any dripping faucets, these can be quite simple to fix. If you have an older showerhead, replacing it with a new one that is designed to use less water can make conserving water effortless. If you currently take baths, you can usually save water by taking showers instead. Replacing an older toilet with one that flushes with less water can also be a very simple and "green" home improvement project. Make sure to choose water settings that match laundry load sizes when washing clothes. If you have a dishwasher, wait until you have a full load of dirty dishes before running it.

Start Recycling

Starting a home recycling project can be simple, especially if you start small. Give some thought as to what materials end up in your trash most frequently. For many families, recycling aluminum beverage cans can be a great place to start. Then, once you've gotten into the habit of recycling one material, you can gradually expand your program to also recycle other materials. In some cases, you might even be able to make a little bit of money by recycling certain materials. If so, save the money until you have enough to take the family out for a treat.

Inspect Your Home for Heat Loss

Most homes have at least a few areas where heat can escape. By finding and sealing these areas, you'll save energy as well as money. If it's currently cold outside, you can probably already feel areas where cold air could be leaking in. However, you can also use a thin piece of paper or a lit candle to help you find air leaks. Hold the paper or candle up to the edges of windows, doors or areas where pipes or wires enter your home. If the paper flutters or the candle flame flickers, you will know that air is leaking in. Use weather stripping, caulk, or plastic window film to block these areas, which will help conserve energy. In the basement, you can insulate the water pipes leading away from your hot water heater, preventing the loss of radiant heat. There are also insulating blankets designed for hot water heaters, but always check your owner's manual before installing one.