When people talk about going green in winter, what usually comes to mind is weatherizing your home: sealing cracks, and insulating attics, pipes and heaters. But there also are other household tips to help make your winter more eco-friendly.
Circulate those ceiling fans.
It sounds odd, but if you change the direction of your ceiling fan so that it runs clockwise, it creates an updraft that allows the fan to circulate the warm air that gathers at the ceiling down to the space you inhabit. This simple act can save up to 10 percent on heating costs.
Make your ice removal non-toxic.
Chemical deicers come with caution warnings on them for a reason — they’re harmful to humans, pets and the environment. The impurities and added chemicals in road salt have been linked to aquatic dead zones, poisoned pets and plants, and increased risk of cancer in humans. Forget trying to melt the ice, and give yourself traction by sprinkling coarse sand or birdseed. Or seek out salt-free options like Safe Paws or less harmful deicers like calcium magnesium acetate and magnesium chloride.
Read the rest of my article on EcoRI News.
