3/3/11

If you're in the market to buy a new home and want an eco-friendly abode, be sure to look beyond just the efficiency of the windows and heating/cooling system. Also be aware of how close you'd be to supermarkets, your kids' school, your place of work and the gym. The longer your commute to and from these places means additional time, fuel and energy, and should be considered in your home-purchasing decision.

3/2/11

Many people who replace their old refrigerator in the kitchen often try to salvage it by placing in the garage as additional refrigeration. Often, this spare fridge goes unused but still plugged in and using energy to cool and freeze absolutely nothing. If this sounds familiar, maybe take this moment to not only unplug that refrigerator, but arrange to have it picked up and properly recycled. An old fridge can potentially leak harmful Freon gas, be a safety hazard to small children, and it just takes up a lot of space in a garage.

3/1/11

With more and more department stores selling a variety of eco-friendly housewares -- organic cotton bedding, bamboo fiber towels, energy-efficient LED lamps -- it also means that unsold items will end up at off-price retailers at reduced prices. Be sure to look for eco-friendly luxuries at steep discounts at stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods.