Gold Coast Tire & Auto Weblog

By Joshua Vadney

We’ve all heard about conserving water on the evening news. Water shortages and drought conditions in several counties across the country and local municipalities invoking rate hikes and water restrictions that can affect you and your family. Whether or not you live in an affected area, there are several easy steps families can take to reduce their water consumption just in the kitchen alone.

Here are 8 easy tips to get you started.

1. Only run the dishwasher when its completely FULL. Half loads waste water and your machine runs more efficiently when fully loaded.

2. When handwashing dishes only fill the sink half full of water. You don’t need to completely fill the sink to scrub the dishes or pans. Don’t run the water as you wash the dishes. And don’t rinse the dishes until you are done. Then rinse them all at once.

3. When cooking with water ( boiling eggs, pasta, or vegetables ) don’t throw it out when you are done. Let it cool and use it to water your plants. The nutrients in the water are better for your plants and then you don’t have to use fresh water from your faucet.

4. Do not run the faucet to get a few cups of hot water. It takes less energy to microwave a few cups of water than to waste gallons of water waiting for it to get hot.

5. Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge so you always a cold glass of water without running the faucet.

6. Fix leaky faucets. If you have a faucet that drips you are wasting gallons of water every day. Usually, its something as simple as replacing a simple o ring in the faucet handle or tightening the screw that holds it together that can stop the leak. There are many online fix it websites that will show you step by step how to fix simple leaks.

7. If you live in an older home make sure your plumbing is kept up to date whenever possible as most leaky pipes are caused by poor plumbing maintenance or improper connections.

8. If you are planning to update your kitchen appliances (dishwasher, refrigerator, etc) be sure to check their energy rating and buy the most efficient one possible. Most manufacturers have the ratings listed right on the door of the appliance so it is easy to comparison shop. It may cost you extra to buy a higher, more efficient model but you will save money over the long run.

By Tracy Santany

Many times when people are looking for tips on green living, they tend to overlook the obvious. We believe that we should talk to people who have a Masters Degree in environmental science so that we can make sure that nothing we do further endangers the environment. The fact is, though, that we can go a long way in helping our wallets and the environment by following a few simple tips on green living through conservation.

· Lights off - You’ve probably heard it numerous times, but that’s because it is good, common sense. You are helping the environment every time you conserve energy, and when a light bulb isn’t on you are conserving energy. You will also see a significant difference in your electric bill.

· Unplug - One of the lesser known tips on green living-and something that will further lower your electric bill–is to unplug any appliances when you are not using them. Even when you turn appliances off, they are still using some electricity when they’re plugged in. This includes televisions, DVD players, coffee pots and blenders.

· Drive less - It may seem like an obvious tip, but even though people know that driving less is a great way to practice green living, they don’t always heed the advice. If you can get away with walking somewhere instead of driving, do it! Plan better so you don’t have to make as many shopping trips. Be creative when it comes to ideas for driving less.
These are just three tips on green living through conservation. If you really put your mind to it, you could think of many more. You’ll feel good about the difference you are making to your environment, and you’ll be pleased with how much money you save as well.