by Kimberley Linstruth-Beckom

Created on: March 05, 2008

Most people nowadays have heard of the term "going green", but what exactly can one do for the environment in their own little world? Being green should be simple because the term means to conserve and reuse, not just being kind, to the environment. There are easy ways to conserve in your home that require little effort, and here is a top ten green list.

1. Launder your clothes at night. Doing laundry at night will conserve energy since most businesses are open from 9 to 5.

2. Conserving energy to heat water by washing in cold, is another great way to "go green" because you won't be using your hot water tank as much. Some people believe that their clothes won't be as clean, but there are many products out on the market today that cater to cold water use. Another great thing about cold water is that you won't have to separate your clothes as much per load. Colors will usually only "run" in warm or hot water which is why cold water is suggested for colored fabrics. Less separating cuts down on your energy spent doing the laundry, which is a great bonus to "going green"!

3. Turn off your incandescent lights. Many people know to turn off their lights to save money, but some might be surprised to learn that a light bulb can give off heat. This may be something wonderful in the winter time if you aren't a fan of the cold, but it can be brutal torture on your air conditioner in the summer. Leaving the lights off will help you to conserve the out put of your air conditioner.

4. Use your furnace sparingly. If you are like most people and are away from home due to a full-time job, you won't need an overly warm house during your working hours. This energy can be conserved by lowering your heat to a reasonable temperature when no one is home. You will need the temperature at a reasonable level to avoid certain household problems. For instance, a house's pipes need to be warm enough in the winter so they won't freeze, but that doesn't mean you have to keep your heat on 80 degrees, you can very easily lower your thermostat to 60-64 degrees while you're away at work.

5. Use your air conditioner sparingly. You can conserve the energy spent on your air conditioner the same way you do with your heat. However, the summer months may be a different story for your air conditioner if you have a pet. A cat or a dog may need a cooler home in the summer months if the temperature is high outside. You can still conserve how much cool air is used by making sure it is set to an economy

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