4/11/14

On average, the television and ancillary devices that go with it (DVD player, cable box, etc.) account for about 8 to 10 percent of a household's overall energy bill. One way to help cut electric waste is always make sure to turn the TV off when it's not being used. But one not-so-obvious tip is to reduce the brightness of the television. By going to the settings function and reducing the brightness level, you can help make your TV more energy-efficient. Most manufacturers pre-set their TVs with the highest brightness setting possible. A simple switch can help you save money without any real noticeable difference in viewing quality.

4/10/14

Now that spring has sprung, many of us have gardening and landscaping on our minds. When choosing new plants to make your home look amazing, consider buying native plants. Native plants are exactly what they sound like: They are indigenous to the region of the country you live and do more than just look good. They are plants that enhance the wild ecosystem and help bring biodiversity to the environment. These plants are useful to wild animals and beneficial insects. When you choose native plants, you get more bang for your buck: Your yard looks good, and it helps the environment. To know which plants are native to your area, visit findnativeplants.com.

4/9/14

With more than 1 million iPhone apps in the Apple store, it can be mind-boggling to know which ones to download. When it comes to green-minded apps, the Environmental Protection Agency has made it easy by compiling a 290-item list of the best apps at epa.gov/greenapps. It includes apps like GasHog, which calculates the real-time, real-driving fuel economy of your car from tank-to-tank fill-up, and JouleBug, which marries social media and games to reward players when you reduce energy waste in life and at home. In addition to discovering new eco-apps, you can also see which apps are people's favorites, and why.