If your gas water heater is over 11 years old, you probably can save energy and money by replacing it with a more efficient model. Plus, if your new water heater meets certain efficiency standards, such as an Energy Factor (EF) rating of .82 or higher or a thermal efficiency of at least 90%, you could be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $300 in the 2011 tax year.

Good Green Habits

Here are a few good habits for a green water heater.

• Opt for the correct size. Water heaters with tanks keep water hot, all day and night. So, if you choose a smaller size, you’ll save energy and money. A 30 to 40 gallon water heater is probably the right size for one or two people. You can visit the U.S. Department of Energy for more information about estimating the right size water heater for your home.
• Pick a high energy factor level. The EF of the model rates a water heater’s energy performance. Choose a model with an EF rating of at least .65 or higher.
• Program for savings. Set your water heater’s temperature at an energy and money saving level. Most individuals and families find that 120°F is a good temperature for saving money and energy and also protects them from water that’s too hot.
• Insulate your water heater.  If your water heater is warm to the touch, you need to wrap it in insulation. Adding insulation to your water heater can reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45% and save around 4%–9% on overall water heating costs. Visit your local hardware store to find pre-cut jackets or blankets that start at around $10.

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Eat chilled fruit to keep cool.

If you’re looking for green ways to keep cool this summer, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered a variety of eco-friendly tips that either don’t use an air conditioner or help you use your air conditioner more efficiently.

So, to keep you and the planet healthy and to save money on your energy bill, here are 20 green ways to help you keep cool when summer heat threatens to get inside your home and under your collar.

Green Habits to Keep Cool 

1. Avoid the dry cycle and plan ahead. Allow dishes to air dry in your dishwasher. And, wash dishes late at night or early in the morning so you can keep the dishwasher door closed for several hours after the wash cycle completes to avoid hot air from spilling into the room.
2. Check refrigerator settings and coils. Set your refrigerator between 37 to 40 degrees and remember to keep the coils clean. Dirty coils make your refrigerator work harder and run longer, which heats up your kitchen.
3. Open windows and doors in the early morning. Allow early morning cool air to circulate throughout your home.
4. Close windows and coverings mid morning. Shut windows, blinds, shades, shutters and curtains later in the morning to stop afternoon heat from getting inside.
5. Drench your extremities. Run cold water over your hands and wrists, soak feet and ankles in a tub of water, splash water on your face and ears.
6. Dress for the heat. Wear loose or lightweight clothing made from natural fibers, such as cotton and linen (rather than synthetic materials), including sleeveless and short-sleeved shirts, shorts, capri pants, skirts and dresses. Rotate your shoes or sandals, so you’re never wearing shoes that are damp from sweat. Go barefoot when possible.
7. Eat smaller amounts of food. Your body produces less heat to digest small amounts of food than compared to large amounts of food.
8. Freeze a wet a towel. Allow the towel to thaw a little and then place it on your forehead, stomach, or feet to lower your body temperature.
9. Notice outdoor temperatures. Open doors and windows when the temperature drops down outside.
10. Practice green bathing habits. Open the window and close the door when showering, so hot steam doesn’t reach other parts of your home. If you don’t have a window in the bathroom, remember to turn on the fan to vent hot air.
11. Service your air conditioner. If you must use an air conditioner, make sure it runs efficiently by keeping filters clean and using the right amount of coolant. To help your air conditioner work better, use a fan to circulate the cold air. (If you can live with without using an air conditioner, do it. Use an air conditioner only during the hottest part of the day.)
12. Shut off heat-producing devices. When not in use, unplug or turnoff electronic devices such as computers, televisions, stereos, and incandescent light bulbs.
13. Sip cold beverages and eat chilled foods. Drink cold beverages, like ice water with a squeeze of lemon, or eat cold food, like chilled strawberries and blueberries, to lower your body temperature from the inside. Stay away from caffeine and alcohol, since both can lead to dehydration.
14. Sit under a tree. Hang out under shady trees where it can be up to 10 degrees cooler.
15. Spritz with water from a spray bottle. Mist your face or feet with water to cool off. While still damp, sit in front of a fan to get even cooler.
16. Take cold showers or baths. Lower your body temperature by cooling off your body from the outside.
17. Turn on fans to circulate air. Turn off the fan when you’re not in the room.  For a short-term treat, place a bowl of ice in front of the fan to move colder air.
18. Use a microwave or toaster oven. Cook food in a microwave or toaster oven, since both produce less heat and cook foods faster, which keeps your house cooler.
19. Visit the library, mall, grocery store, movie theatre or gym. Go to public places where many people can be cooled by air conditioners at the same time.
20. Wash and dry clothes before or after hottest periods. Do laundry early in the day or late at night when it’s cooler. Use a clothesline when possible or at least air dry part of the load. (Not everything may need to go in the dryer, especially items made from synthetic materials like workout clothes, blankets, and fleece jackets.)

 Can you share any good green habits for keeping cool in the summer?

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Small Green Steps

It’s usually not the big things that stop us when figuring out how to live green. More likely it is the daily habits that we develop over time. If you have developed some bad green habits, there’s no time like the present to change them. So, how exactly do you live green? It’s a simple two-step process. First, take an honest look at your current habits. Then, find ways to live greener.

STEP ONE ─ Assess Your Habits

Make a list of areas in your life that you can improve. Keep your list short and manageable. Here’s an example:

• Transportation. Include when and how you get from point A to point B for work, entertainment and errands.
• Energy Consumption. Include when and how much gas and electricity you consume.
• Food. Include when, where, and how often you eat in restaurants. Also list your grocery shopping habits, including the amount of food you buy, eat and throw out.
• Clothes, Electronics and Furniture. Include the types of products you buy and how often you you replace them.
• Cleaning and Personal Care Products. Include the types of products you buy and how often you replace them.

STEP TWO ─ Green Your Habits

Look at your above list to see your current habits. Usually it’s fairly easy to see where you can make little adjustments to green your habits.  Here are a few samples to help you get started:

1. Bring your own bags when shopping.
2. Buy vintage clothing, furniture, electronics and other items. You can find vintage items on Ebay, Craigslist, garage and estate sales, thrift store and at vintage specialty stores.
3. Call your local garbage company to ask for a current list of items accepted in their recycle program. Post it on your refrigerator.
4. Carpool whenever you can and work from home when possible.
5. Compost food and other accepted items through your garbage company and start a compost bin at home.
6. Do all your shopping at one time instead of making many trips.
7. Drive your car for long as long as possible instead of replacing it every couple of years.
8. Keep your vehicle tuned up and in good condition so that it will last a long time, won’t cause air pollution, will consume less gas, and will need fewer repairs in the long run.
9. Make a list before grocery shopping that includes organic foods (when you can afford them), non-processed foods (foods without chemicals), and foods that use small amounts of packaging.
10. Pack a waste-free lunch from home for you mid-day meal.
11. Recycle batteries, paint, oil and other household hazardous waste (toxic materials) through your local garbage company if they offer programs. If they don’t, find a household hazardous waste facility in your area to properly get rid of them.
12. Remember to use cloth napkins and towels instead of items made from paper or plastic.
13. Save glass jars from items such jam, pickles, and marinara sauce to reuse as storage containers for food.
14. Save printer mistakes and use the flip side to make your own tablets.
15. Split large meals at restaurants when possible or order an item with the intention of eating the leftovers at home. Bring a container from home for leftovers instead of asking for a to-go box.
16. Shut off, swtich off, turn off whenever possible, for example shut off water, switch off lights, turn off electronics.
17. Use the internet to listen to music, watch movies, and to read books and magazines.
18. Avoid impulse purchases by waiting a day before buying non-essential and big-ticket items.

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1. Contact your local energy company for a free energy assessment to help you target high energy consuming appliances.
2. Switch off electrical appliances at the power point when not in use. Standby power (also called vampire power) accounts for about 4 percent of the average home’s energy use.
3. Turn your thermostat up in the summer and down in the winter. Turning it up or down by just 1°C can save up to 10 percent on your energy bill.
4. Use pot lids when cooking foods to reduce the amount of energy required during the cooking process.
5. Keep drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap water run for a few moments as you wait for the water to become cold.
6. Allow laundry to dry on a clothesline rather than using a dryer. (Remove wrinkles and soften clothesline dried laundry by placing wrinkled or stiff items in a dryer for about five minutes or until warm.)

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