Water-conserving fixtures installed in US households in 1998 alone saved 44 million gallons of water every day, resulting in total dollar-value savings of more than 33.6 million per year!

If all US households installed water-saving features, water use could decrease by 30 percent, saving an estimated 5.4 billion gallons per day!

This would result in dollar-volume savings of $11.3 million per day or more than $4 billion per year! -American Water Works Association

1. 
   Change out the faucet aerators in your bathroom with lower gallon per minute (.5gpm) aerators. Consider switching your shower head to a lower gallon per minute model. Some models & reasonable prices for these are at Efi.org
   
   
2. 
   Hot water tank insulation wrap, wrap your tank with this to help prevent heat loss.
   
   
3. 
   Tankless Water Heaters, when its time to replace your hot water tank, consider switching to a tankless model, your water heats up quicker and uses up to 20% less energy to heat the water (because a gas fed hot water tank has a continually running pilot light, that becomes expensive if you live in cold winters, tankless models can have the added feature of a "electronic-ignition-on-demand pilot light.")
   
   Another added benefit is the amount of physical space you gain with one of these systems they are much smaller(they mount on the wall) than the hot water tanks that take up floor space.
   
   
4. 
   Water pipe insulation tubes, insulate your hot water pipes coming out of your hot water tank. This helps reduce heat loss from the pipes.
   
   
5. 
   Check that your incoming water pressure is not too high, consider installing a water pressure regulator.
   
   
6. 
   Shower Timer, either install one between your shower head and pipe or use a count down alarm timer to make sure you take short efficient showers.

1. 
   Switch out inefficient bulbs in your residence with Compact Florescent light bulbs. (CFL's) You'll save on your electricity bill. Some models & reasonable prices for CFL's are at Efi.org.
   
   The most efficient bulbs are LED-based bulbs. They last up to 100 times longer and consume a 1/10 of the energy of incandescents. Also, you can choose your home's electricity supplier, find out what your alternative electricity options are at green-e.org
   
2. Turn off unused electronics during the day, don't leave your computer running at home while your at work, unplug everything!
   
3. Turn your lights off from room to room, don't leave lights on in rooms you aren't using. If you are cleaning, only have the lights on in the rooms you are working in.
   
4. 
   "Plug into the Sun!"
   Portable Solar Charger for your cell phone, iPod, digital camera, etc. Solio.com
   
5. Recycle your old cell phones, computers, printers(Lexmark offers a free reclaiming/recycling program for their old printers), and electronics equipment, do NOT just throw them away, donate them to charity.
   
   Use Freecycle.org. If you donate your old electronics you can write it off. The rapid technology upgrading is causing old dated electronics to pile up in landfills. Old CRT computer monitors are especially bad, because they contain mercury and a slew of other bad chemicals that are seeping into the ground water.
   
6. 
   Use Smart Strips, many electronics continue to draw power, up to 4 kilowatts per day, even when turned off! Autoswitching power strips like Smart Strips can help. Plug your PC into the strips's main socket, and accessories into the other sockets. The peripherals shut down completely when the primary appliance is switched off smartstrip.net
7. 
   Collect dead batteries(aaa, aa, 9volt, c, d, brick batteries, etc.) in a container and then recycle them!

   Take them to radio shack, ikea, home depot, find a place that's most convenient for you. Then replace them with/and start using rechargeable batteries, my favorite brand is energizer rechargeable nickel-metal hydrides

   Get a charger and stock up! You'll be surprised how many batteries you actually use! They are just like lightbulbs, you think you are using like maybe a dozen or so, when in reality its probably closer to 50!

1. EcoSmartFires: environmentally friendly open fire places. No gas connections, no charcoal, etc. Powered by renewable energy fuel canisters(denatured ethanol). Use in urban apartments & places that do not have fireplaces! EcoSmartFire.com
   
2. 
   Have your furnace seasonally checked, also make sure the air filter is a good one, meaning it has a high MERV rating. A "MERV" stand for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It is a test method developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
   
   A higher MERV rating indicates better air filter performance. 3M corporation produces an air cleaning filter called Filtrete. These filters capture 10 times more microscopic allergens (dust, smoke, smog particles) than non-electrostatic pleated filters(these filters cost 95 cents each). The 3M filters cost ~$7, a significant price increase. But this upgrade improves the quality of air in your home! A quality that is priceless!
   

General:

According to the EPA, the typical American household can save about $400 a year in energy bills with appliances/products that carry the Energy Star Label. Be conscious of how much energy all of your appliances are consuming!

1. A website to learn about various green building techniques check out: buildinggreen.com
   
2. For green construction, building, remodeling, rennovation projects.
   I highly recommend getting these books:
   
   Green Building Products and
   
   
3. Green Remodeling

1. Look for FSC-certified(Forest Stewardship Council) and reclaimed wood furniture(from barns, buildings slated for demolition).
   citilogs.com
   urbanhardwoods.com
   ecoloft.com
   vintagewoods.com
   vintagematerialsupply.com
   
2. Recycled content furniture:
   1. resourcerevival.com
   2. metamorfdesign.com

1. Marmoleum flooring is a natural product made from linseed oil, wood flour, rosin forbolinoleumNA.com
   
2. Bamboo flooring: (State/Province)
   californiabamboo.com (CA)
   moso.com (WA)
   amatibambu.com (ON)
   bamtex.com (MD)
   hanlitebamboo.com (CO)
   plyboo-america.com (NY)
   historicalbricks.com (IA)

1. Search for low or no-VOC Interior Paints:
   Pittsburgh Paints, Pure Performance:
   ppgaf.com
   

1. 
   Solar Shingles: for those of you homeowners out there, when it comes time to replace those roof shingles replace them with Solar Shingles and have them generate power for your house! Uni-solar.com
   

1. Replace your old Windows with low-e models, if you cant afford that option, shrink wrap over these old windows during the winter, heat loss occurs through old windows and their framing.
   
   
2. If you have a real fireplace, remember to close the flew when you are not using it, as heat escapes up through it if its open!
   
3. Fireplace Draftstopper plug. Your fireplace is like an open window, (even with the damper closed!) Use this great product to seal the opening even further. batticdoor.com
   
   
4. Check your attic for proper insulation, there should be insulation between the floor joists, if not get insulation in between them ASAP!
   
   
5. Seal ducts & holes! On a cold windy day walk around your house and feel for cool air coming in through the framing, cracks, around any exterior wall, and especially down in the basement. Check where all the floor joists meet up with the exterior walls. Touch'n Foam is an HCFC-free foam sealant that uses a mixture of propane and isobutane as the blowing agent. It is available in triple-expanding or low-expanding formulations in disposable cans. convenienceproducts.com
   
   Also, consider injecting Aeroseal into your HVAC system. Aeroseal is a polymer fog that cuts leaks up to 80 percent when injected into your system.

1. Recycle Everything! Set this challenging goal to throw away only biodegradable items. The extra conscious effort to recycle, reuse, and donate everything generates positive dividends. Resist succumbing to the "Out of sight, Out of mind" mentality that only adds to our impact.
   Join & start using Freecycle.org! Use Craigslist and post your items on there for free.
   
   
2. Try creating a set of sustainable rules for yourself and dedicate yourself to living by them, take notice when you break one. Over time abiding by these rules will shape your living habits into a conscious harmony with the planet.
   
3. What happened to the dime-deposit recycle programs that were everywhere years ago?
   Michigan is the only state with a dime-deposit(for recycled bottles and cans) their redemption rate is 95%. Raise hell to your local community, grocery store, school boards, political leaders to re-institute these smart recycling programs!
   
4. Visit Earth911.org to find out where you can recycle those difficult items such as Batteries, CFL's, Smoke Detectors, Antifreeze, Old Stereo, etc.

1. 
   Take a moment to read all of the ingredients on the bottle labels in your bathroom. Notice any weird chemical names you have never heard of? Switch over to organic personal care products, body & face wash, shampoo, toothpaste, & mouthwash. The "Jason" line of natural products are my personal favorites: Jason-natural.com
   
   If a product does not mention, "Not Tested on Animals,"
   it most likely has been.
   
   
2. 
   Purchase recycled 2-ply bathroom tissues from
   Seventh Generation.com
   
   
3. Organic Cotton! Look for bedding, pillows, underwear and shirts made out of organic cotton.
   

1. Locate and support your local organic restaurants. The food always tastes better at these places!
   
2. Watermelon is a great de-toxifier, it rids your system of a lot of nasty chemicals. Have some watermelon and start your new organic only diet!
   
3. Eat only lean meats! Chicken, Swordfish, Salmon(wild, not farm raised), Tuna, and Turkey are my favorites.
   
4. Avoid Deli meats! They are prone to germs & bacterial growth.
   
5. Avoid fast food joints you lazy-seeker of instant gratification!
   Can you even remember the last time your stomach felt good after a fast food meal? It always tastes good going down. Your body tries hard to locate the little nutrients that are in it. And down right rejects the rest of the garbage. Fast food is full of food additives, flavor enhancers, preservatives, HORMONES?, and a slew of sneaky chemicals designed to make you addicted to the stuff.
   
6. Everything Organic! Yes, organic products are a little more expensive, but the rewards from using and eating them are priceless. Stay away from preservatives and synthetic toxic chemicals. Next grocery trip try only shopping in the organic section, or go to the organic only grocery store. Check the label as to where the produce/product is coming from. The ideal is to purchase organic food within 12 miles of your dinner table. Your budget for food and livelihood should not be skimped & neglected. Your health is your most important asset, it should always be your top priority!
   
   
7. 
   Next time you are at the grocery store use paper to bag your groceries, then reuse the same paper bags the next time you go the store, repeat this until they need replaced. (Hint: double layer paper bags are more durable and less likely to tear)
   
   
   *The best option is to always use reuseable canvas bags when shopping. I get paper bags at the grocery store sometimes because I have cats at home and I use the paper bags as garbage bags for their litter droppings.
   
   
8. 
   If You Care products: 100% recycled aluminum foil, coffee filters, & parchment paper. ifyoucare.com
   

1. The entire line of Method cleaning products: It rocks!
   
   My personal favorites are the handsoap bottles, dishwashing tablets, dishwasking soap, blue window cleaner, cucumber or lavender all surface cleaners, bathroom scrub cleaner, wood floor cleaning system, tile floor cleaning system, and their sprau aromas smell great! I highly recommend their entire product line. you can find them at Target and possibly your grocery store check where you can get them at: methodhome.com
   
2. 
   All Purpose Cleaners from Seventh Generation.com. Seventh Generation has a variety of domestic products. You can usually find their products at your local grocery store.
   
3. Ecover products: Ecover has a variety of domestic products.
   These condensed dishwasher tablets work great!
   ecover.com

It takes less gasoline to restart your car than it does to let it idle for more than a minute... If all the cars on US roads had properly inflated tires, it would save an estimated 2 billion gallons of gasoline per year and improve your gas mileage 3-7%. University of Colorado Environmental Center 2003.
Keep your tires inflated to the right pressure!

1. Change your driving philosophy. Drive slower, coast often, accelerate slowly(no jackrabbit starts at traffic lights). Repeat the words, "After you" frequently to the other drivers in your mind.
   
   
2. Speeding to get somewhere a few minutes faster is not worth the associated risks(safety, energy consumption, and money loss) when all you have to do is leave a few minutes earlier. Driving at 75mph will get you somewhere only ~10 minutes faster than if you were traveling at 65mph. Are you really that bad at managing your time? If you are, consider reading up on time management materials.
   
   
3. Don't stay in the left lane. Travel along in the right lane.
   The left lane is the passing lane!
   
   
4. What's the rush? The world only moves as fast as you make it move. Leave 5 minutes earlier and Slow down!
   
   
5. Stop riding everyone's bumper. Give people some space. Its your fault & monetary expense if you slam into them for being the tailgater.
   
   
6. "Should I ditch my old Toyota Corolla and buy a new Prius? Hybrids get better mileage, but it takes energy to build a new car, right?
   Right, but the green choice is still the Prius. Manufacturing accounts for ~10% of the energy consumed by an automobile during its lifecycle. Gas burned by the engine makes up almost everything else. So if a 1993 Corolla gets 27.5 miles and a Prius gets ~45-55mpg, you should earn back the energy "investment" that went into making the hybrid in about four years. Additionally, by purchasing a Prius, you help tilt the economies of scale in favor of hybrids. Toyota's hybrid technology is still relatively expensive, but production costs will come down as more Priuses are sold. A nd the more Priuses that fill the roads, the more consumers will view them as a legitimate option for their next car, rather than just trendy eco-boxes for Hollywood do-gooders." (Wired, 05/06 p.151)
   
7. 
   Plug-in Electric Hybrid Cars are coming!!! (with gas backup engines!)
   Here is the list of upcoming vehicles and dates:
   
   GM
   Chevy Volt – Demo 2009, production November 2010
   Saturn Vue PHEV – 2010. Note: GM has discontinued the Saturn line and the Vue’s fate in unclear.

   Nissan
   EV – 2010

   Toyota
   Plug-in Hybrid Prius – Demo 2010, production 2011

   Chrysler
   PHEV – 2010
   EV Jeep – by 2013
   EV Minivan – by 2013
   EV Roadster – by 2013

   Ford
   Plug-in Hybrid Escape – 2012
   EV Magna – 2011

   BMW
   e-Mini – 2009

   Audi
   A1 Sportback PHEV – 2011

   Hyundai
   PHEV Sonata – 2013

   Volkswagen
   PHEV Golf – 2011

   Small Companies
   Tesla (now and 2011)
   Fisker (2009)
   BYD (2009)
   Bright Automotive (2012)
   Miles (2009)
   Aptera (2009)
   Persu Mobility (2011)
   Myers Motors (now)

   PHEV conversions
   A123/Hymotion
   Plug-in Conversions
   3-Prong Power