12/28/11

Do you ever wonder how much power your TV or refrigerator actually use? One way to get an accurate measure is to use a device called the Kill A Watt, which connects to your appliance and displays its true measurement of energy consumption on a large LCD display. You can figure out if the fridge is draining energy and make a smart choice if it needs to be replaced. These devices normally cost about $25 to buy, but your local library may have one that you can borrow for free.

12/27/11

The Environmental Protection Agency has created a new label on consumer products called Design for the Environment. The DFE label helps consumers quickly identify and choose products that are designed to be safer for their families and are more environmentally friendly. In 2011, Americans who chose DFE products helped cut the use of hundreds of millions of pounds of harmful chemicals. Learn more at epa.gov/dfe.

12/26/11

Many bathrooms are damp rooms that aren't well ventilated, which can lead to growth of unpleasant mold and mildew. One way to help prevent this growth is to use a special light bulb in the overhead lights -- look for LED bulbs that are embedded with ultraviolet light. UV lights have been successfully used in hospitals to inhibit microbial growth, so using the bulbs in your bathroom can also help keep it healthy without the use of chemicals. And since LED bulbs are energy efficient and long lasting, the LED UV bulb will last for many years to come.