With the environment and climate change in the forefront of many concerns today, there are many ways the average consumer can be environmentally friendly. It will take everyone to reduce waste and protect the earth from an environmental disaster by the time our children are grown.

Most communities in our area have gone to recycling, which reduces landfills considerably, but there is much more to do. Windmills are popping up in many areas, and hybrid cars are reducing emissions, too.

What Can You Do?

Here is a list of simple things you can do to help reduce your energy use and carbon footprint without spending a fortune. Many of these things will actually save you money in the long run. Consider being environmentally friendly an investment in the future.

Programmable Thermostat

Install a programmable thermostat and save up to 10% on energy costs. Your thermostat will automatically adjust when you’re sleeping or away. You may even get a rebate from your utility company.

Forget the Air Conditioner

Stay cool without the energy-hungry expense of installing an air conditioner. Set a 9”x13” pan of ice cubes in front of a box fan and … voila! Instant arctic blast. 
In your car, you can reduce the amount of time you need to run the A/C with a simple trick: Open the back windows as you blast the A/C. It will push hot air out of the car fast, and you can quickly dial back the volume.

Change Your Old Showerheads

Federal regulations limit showerhead flow to 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) or less. Many showerheads made before 1992 had flow rates of 5.5 gpm, so if that’s yours, switching showerheads could cut your water use in half!

Skip Warming Up Your Car

At least if you drive a modern fuel-injected car. Their sensors adjust the gasoline and air mix to account for outside temperatures, unlike their carbureted predecessors that did need a warm-up on chilly mornings.

Clean Your Car on the Lawn

Thanks to efficient water recycling, commercial carwashes are easier on the environment than home washes. But touchless carwashes just don’t get the grime off.

You can save some cash by cleaning your car at home. Wash your car on grass rather than pavement. That’s because soil helps filter runoff.

Green bonus: Empty your bucket of dirty wash water into the sink or toilet so the contaminants it contains will go to a wastewater plant for treatment.

Go Paperless for Bills

Switch to paperless options for your bills and bank statements. At SAV-ON Insurance, you can pay your bills online by going to the “Payment” button item on our website, choosing the insurance company you want to pay online, then creating your bill payment.

Each insurance company’s website has a “go paperless” option that allows you to opt in to be sent an email notification when your next payment are due.

Set up your online payments on the SAV-ON website: https://sav-on.com/make-a-payment/