Instead of the Winter Blues, Try the Winter Greens and Save Money!
The weather has been crazy lately with temperatures in 60’s one day to blustery winds and highs in the 20’s the next! Either way, we know that even though gas prices are finally dropping our energy bills are going to be rising over the next few months. I thought that I would share some tips on saving some $$ this season as well as making your home more comfortable.
1. Invest in a Programmable thermostat- this way you can set your heater to lower the temperature in the house while you are at work or sleeping. Also, you never want to set the temperature too low (50 degrees for example) in the winter because your heater then has to work harder to get the house to a comfy temperature (say 68 degrees) when you are there and actually uses more energy (aka $) than if you had just turned it down a bit (65 degrees).
2. Use your ceiling fans! People think of fans only as a means to cool things off, but many modern fans have low reverse settings that actually keep the heat circulating throughout the house (instead of collecting on the top floor and escaping through the roof). This helps your heater use less energy (aka $)!
3. Insulate- this is probably the cheapest way to save big bucks, but requires some more time and energy. You can buy weather stripping and caulk for a few dollars at your local hardware store. Weather stripping is great for exterior doorways and caulk is great around windows to keep out the cold air that’s been seeping into your home!
4. If you have a fireplace or wood burning stove, buy a fan or blower for it. If you think about it, most of the heat from your fireplace goes right up the flue. If you buy a fan or blower specifically designed for this, it will help circulate this inexpensive heat throughout your home, making your fireplace or wood burning stove more than just something nice to look at. And most importantly, don’t forget to close your flue after your fire goes out- it’s like leaving a window open if you don’t!
5. Change the filter in your heating system. Most people rarely change their filters, which greatly effects the efficiency of your heater/ac units.
6. Buy an energy efficient home! Although not everyone is in a position to buy a new home, it’s not only a great time to buy, but the options on the market not are incredible. There are homes that use 60% less energy than traditionally constructed homes with the use of solar energy, radiant heat, incredible insulation, and more! Call me for more info, and have a cozy winter.
The Problem with Trees
By Rachel Lipton
I started writing about trees, and I felt my blog was getting a little long, so below is the first in a series of blogs I will be writing about the issue of street trees in Philadelphia. Thanks for reading!
The bad news is, Philadelphia has the smallest percentage of tree canopy coverage of […]
Don’t Hug a Tree, Hug a Tree Tender!
By Rachel Lipton.
October was a great month for me. Not only did the Phillies secure the title of World Series Champions and I was there to see it, but on the same evening, I completed the Tree Tenders course given at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). With in the classroom and on […]
Greening your Closet and Your Life
Now some of the hottest items on the hangers are organic clothes, but for the real greenies out there, there is a better way to do your part for the environment when it’s time to go shopping- hit the consignment shops! The benefits are endless.
Buying at the consignment shop:
I know the first thought to some people is, “Gross! I don’t want to wear something that was worn by someone else!” Well, you people who are easily skeeved out, do you think those jeans you bought at Nordstrom’s were not tried on by a dozen people before you bought them, or that shirt from the gap couldn’t have been sneezed on by the sales clerk who spends all day folding them inhaling the microfiber particles? Just wash the darn garment before you wear it, and it’ll be as clean as or cleaner than something new. Just make sure you use a detergent that is not harmful to the environment!
First benefit, you can get some incredible deals at these stores, and sometimes find new items with tags on them for pennies on the dollar of what they originally sold for. In addition.
When you buy consigned clothes, you are also reducing the demand on new clothing which lessens the production of those new clothes. This saves energy & materials, and reduces toxins in bleaches and dies put into the air and water. This also reduces the emissions from vehicles that have to deliver clothing from the factories to the stores. Think about all the energy used to make the clothes that you are wearing today. If you buy used clothing you are not responsible for that energy!
Selling in the consignment shop:
Consignment shops will typically give you between 30%-50% of what they will resell your old clothes for, which puts more money back into your wallet, and no one can argue with that!
This also frees up lots of space in your home, reducing clutter, dust mites, and increasing storage space and open air space- all of which is good for you. Also, if you are student of Feng Shui, you will note that once you reduce clutter in your home (i.e. the clothes taking up closet space that you haven’t worn in over a year, you will start experiencing higher energy levels, more clarity, and a heightened sense of well-being.
So, fellow Philadelphians, I urge you to give it a try. Go to my favorite shop Green Street Consignment Shop on the corner of 7th and South Streets. They also have locations in Lambertville and Bryn Mawr. Their website is http://www.greenestreetconsignment.com