by Brian Cody

Created on: July 27, 2009   Last Updated: July 28, 2009

How to live green by example is a choice that every reader and their friends, family, and neighbors can and should be making. This article will guide our readers to take the steps needed to live the green lifestyle.

One of the first steps every reader should take is to educate themselves about their impact on global warming. There are many free online web sites that can guide the readers as well as utilizing their local libraries sources. You will be able to increase your environmental awareness and once you understand what the issues are, you will be able to spread the word to your friends, family, and neighbors.

Not only will the reading of those on line web sites and articles are free for you to read, you will also be helping the environment as well. Reading articles and news stories on line will reduce the amount of paper waste as well as newspaper recycling. Cut down on your junk mail by signing up for the Do not mail list. View your financial statements on line and pay your bill on line as well. Just doing those small items will help out our environment. You can also print on both sides of the paper to reduce paper waste as well. Make sure that you ask your friends, family, and neighbors to do the same as you.

Contact your local utility companies and request that they do an energy audit of your home. This writer had an energy audit completed this year. The utility representative swapped out my old light bulbs for the new florescent light bulbs. In our home we changed 21 light bulbs all for free. When I received the following monthly electric bill after the energy audit we had saved over $65. We saved both energy usage and also lowered our electric cost. Ensure that you inform your friends, neighbors, and family to request an energy audit.

You can also simply do the following. Shut off your lights when you are not using them.

Did you know that between 40 to 50% of the worlds energy consumption is due to energy use of our residential homes and commercial properties. By retro fitting our existing infrastructure we can dramatically cut down our energy consumption nationwide and worldwide.

In addition to doing an energy audit there is a very simple thing that you, the reader can do. Unplug your cell phone chargers when you are done charge your cell phone. Set your thermostat in the winter to no higher than 68 degrees. Install a whole house water filtration system. This will eliminate your purchase of bottle water and seeing plastic bottles in our landfills and side streets.

Grow your own vegetable garden. Fill the garden with compost. Fill your compost bin with coffee grounds, newspapers, coffee filters, lawn clippings and leaves. Your compost will become black gold.

You can upgrade your old exterior doors and windows that are more energy efficient. Also upgrade, your gas or oil furnace, hot water tanks, AC units, install solar panels, small residential wind units, geothermal heat pumps. Your installation cost of labor, wiring, monitoring of your energy usage is a tax deductible item. To see how that effects your tax returns consult with your tax professional. You could be eligible for a $1,500 tax credit.

To summarize, you can help the environment by practicing what you are preaching to your family, friends, and neighbors. By advocating your environmental choices and stance, your family, friends, and neighbors who care will also contribute to saving the environment. That's what is called How to live green by example.

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