There are many news headlines about how countries and governments must change to help in the fight against climate change. On this Earth Day, Merts Heating & Air Conditioning wants to remind you that we don’t have to wait for governments to take action. Here are ten things you can do right now in Illinois or Northwest Indiana to help save the planet.
Cut water waste
Always remember the little things can make a big difference. Turn off the water while you’re brushing your teeth. Don’t wait to fix a leaky faucet because it could be wasting 90 gallons of water every day.
Park the car
Here’s a goal that is doable for many. Stay off the road two days a week. You can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 16-hundred pounds a year. Do it by combining errands. Talk with your employer about working from home.
Carpool, walk, bike or take public transportation
Once you start, you will be surprised how much ground you can cover walking or biking, and you’ll get some healthy exercise. If that’s not possible, talk with coworkers about forming a carpool or check the train and bus schedules.
Practice R & R & R
In other words, reduce, reuse, & recycle. Aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and paper can all be recycled. Better yet, use reusable containers rather than throwaways.
Become the composting king
Think of how much organic trash you throw away every day with most of it ending up in landfills. Turn that waste material into compost for a great natural fertilizer.
Join the LED revolution
There’s no longer any excuse. LED light bulbs are getting cheaper every year. They use far less energy than incandescent lights and last much longer. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are a good choice as well, but they’re hard to dispose of because they contain mercury.
Be more energy wise
Make sure doors and windows are properly caulked and your Illinois or Northwest Indiana house has the correct amount of insulation. A programmable thermostat can also cut your utility bills (we’ll talk more about heating & cooling in just a moment).
Change your diet
Buy local when possible from local farmers who you know are good stewards of the land. A sustainable diet with more plant-based foods and less red meat can help cut greenhouse gas emissions. Consider growing your own fruits and vegetables.
Plant a tree
Trees breathe in carbon dioxide (CO2) and remove other pollutants from the air including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and small particles. With all those benefits, why stop at one tree?
Cut the cord, the plastic one that is
The world has become addicted to plastic and the numbers are pretty shocking. Every minute people buy one million plastic drinking bottles. Five trillion, yes trillion, single use plastic bags are used every year. What better way to honor Earth Day than switching to reusable shopping bags and drink cups?
Heating & cooling plays a role
Another way to make Earth Day special in your home is to examine your heating and cooling systems to make sure they are operating as efficiently as possible. Keeping your Illinois or Northwest Indiana home comfortable usually accounts for nearly half of your energy usage. Call Merts Heating & Air Conditioning to learn more about how efficient new furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps can reduce your carbon footprint and help save the planet. In some cases, you may qualify for tax incentives and rebates to make an HVAC replacement more affordable. Stay updated on all the latest information by liking and following us on Facebook and Twitter.