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Philadelphia University's Engineering and Design Institute Offers the Top 10 Tips for Living Green This Winter and Holiday Season

Posted on: Friday, 30 November 2007, 18:00 CST

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With gasoline and home heating costs soaring and the threat of global warming looming, more and more people are realizing that it makes sense to live a greener life, both to keep expenses down and to conserve the world's natural resources.

And just when the cold winter weather prompts people to turn up their thermostats, the holiday season starts in full force, tempting consumers with myriad shopping trips, reams of wrapping paper, cards to relatives, friends and colleagues, and light displays that could put Vegas to shame.

The good news is that energy-efficient practices can cut energy use and costs significantly this time of year, according to Christopher Pastore, Ph.D., and Rob Fleming, M.Arch, co-directors of Philadelphia University's Engineering and Design Institute. The Institute, a state-of-the-art research, education and outreach facility, is dedicated to green design and sustainable building practices.

But how do you accomplish this without turning into Scrooge? There are some fairly easy and inexpensive steps to reducing home energy use and cutting back on holiday excess while still celebrating the joys of the season. Here, then, are the top 10 tips for greening up your lifestyle and helping to save the planet this time of year.

1. Switch to a programmable thermostat

There's no sense heating your home when no one is home. Invest in a programmable thermostat, which costs about $50, and turn the temperature down as low as you can bear at night while your family is warm under the covers and set the temperature to rise in the morning as everyone awakes. On weekends when you sleep in later, give your furnace a little more sleep, too.

2. Deck the boughs with LED lighting

This is the year to switch to LED lights to string on your Christmas tree. The LEDs (light-emitting diode) have many advantages over traditional lights: they last longer, aren't hot to the touch and thus don't pose a fire hazard, they use 10 times less energy and, if one bulb burns out, it doesn't short out the entire strip of lights. Even the 84-foot Christmas tree in New York's Rockefeller Center is adorned with 30,000 energy-saving LED lights this year.

3. Insulate

Only about 20 percent of houses built before 1980 have adequate insulation, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. At a minimum, put insulation in the attic; it's like wearing a hat on the coldest days and keeps your heat where it belongs -- in the house. Do-it-yourselfers can buy sheets of insulation at home improvement stores.

And don't forget to insulate your water heater; this can reduce heat loss up to 45 percent. If your water heater is warm to the touch, it probably needs additional insulation. Pre-cut jackets typically cost less than $20; choose one with an insulating value of at least R-8.

4. Artificial versus real Christmas trees

Which is greener? It's a tough call. An artificial tree that can be used for many years is a good choice. Or buy a real tree with its roots balled and plant it in your yard after the holidays. Many communities also offer Christmas tree recycling - typically grinding them into mulch. You can find more information at http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/12/recycle_your_ch.php.

5. Recycle

This may seem obvious, but recycling saves energy needed to create new materials and cuts down on landfill waste. In some communities, waste fees vary by how many trash containers are used; start recycling and see how little actual trash you throw away. This is a good project for kids, and it will help instill a lifelong commitment to recycle and reuse.

6. Go wrapless and BYOB

Yes, wrapped gifts do look lovely, but they create enormous waste. Instead, be creative in reusing what you have around the house (newspapers, magazines, old fabric, yarn). Many stores have decorated boxes this time of year that don't need wrapping. Or buy a few gift bags that can be reused. BYOB? Bring your own bags when shopping!

7. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs

Using these funny-looking bulbs is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to cut energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gases. If every American home replaced just one bulb with a compact fluorescent, it would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equal to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars, according to EnergyStar.

These bulbs cost more than incandescent bulbs -- around $3 -- but last much longer and use about 75 percent less electricity, ultimately saving consumers about $30 per bulb.

8. Send E-Cards

Sending cards and family letters via e-mail is a great way to keep in touch and not waste time, money and natural resources. While holiday cards look nice on the fireplace mantel, think of all the trees and landfill space you'll save. The U.S. Postal Service estimates 1.9 billion Christmas cards are mailed annually. Your family and friends will appreciate your greetings regardless of how they are delivered.

9. Open blinds in winter and shade windows in summer

Work with nature to reduce your heating and cooling costs. During cold weather months, open blinds and curtains to let the light and heat of the sun in. Conversely, in the summer make sure you shield south-facing windows either with outside overhangs or shutters. This step alone can cut your cooling bill by about 20 percent.

10. Buy environmentally friendly gifts

The options are almost endless: donate to a charity admired by your friend, adopt a whale (or gorilla, polar bear or elephant) in your loved one's name, give plants, adopt a highway or acre of rainforest or, for a waste-free gift, give memberships to zoos and museums or tickets to a concert, play or some other special event.

Rob Fleming is Associate Professor of Architecture and Christopher Pastore is Professor of Engineering at Philadelphia University. The Engineering and Design Institute is an education and research institute that promotes sustainability and green building products and design. For more information, go to http://www.philau.edu/thestudio.

Philadelphia University

CONTACT: Debbie Goldberg, Director of Media Relations of PhiladelphiaUniversity, +1-215-951-2718, goldbergd@PhilaU.edu

Web Site: http://www.philau.edu/http://www.philau.edu/thestudiohttp://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/12/recycle_your_ch.php

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire

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