The Green Parent

As a parent, I would love nothing more than a nice, long, hot shower if for no other reason than to take a break from doling out snacks, referring fights, and wiping up spills. Of course, I’m lucky if I can get 5 minutes to myself. But even 5 minutes is all it takes to [...]

Lighting adds up to 15 percent of the total energy use in the average American home. So don’t overlook the obvious: turn off lights when you leave a room. Also, try using a lower wattage bulb or swapping out regular light bulbs for energy-saving, long-lasting compact fluorescents that can save energy and cash.

Even if you don’t have solar panels on your roof, you can make use of the sun’s power to warm your home in the winter. Leave shades and blinds open on sunny days, but close them at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows. In the summer, block that warmth by closing [...]

This is one of the simplest and most powerful things you can do to save energy around your house. In the winter, see if you and your family can still be comfortable with the thermostat set around 68 degrees. Turn it down even more when you go to sleep. During the summer months, bump up [...]

Even when appliances are off, they are still draining energy in “standby” mode. Use a power strip to turn off televisions, stereos, and computer systems when you are not using them and unplug appliances such as phone chargers, extra refrigerators, and printers until you need them.