Going Green

After working on a project last semester about sustainability in which I compared products and services that were good for the environment vs. not, I learned a great deal about what "going green" means. I am a big recycler, honestly, I am the one who always offers to take recyclables with me at parties (yes I am the one who will pick a beer bottle out of the trash), however that's only a small piece in the green movement. As much as I try to minimize my carbon footprint through recycling, truly being "green" is a tough project to take on! First of all, its very expensive, environmentally friendly products tend to be higher in cost due to the higher production cost, and no matter how much I wish all of my actions and purchases were good for the environment, I can not afford to be. However, now that I have my own house and can be in greater control of energy conservation, I intend to really take notice and actively seek out how I can conserve energy where I can afford it.

There are many energy efficient tax credits to be had for home owners for purchases ranging from appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines to home heating systems and energy saving windows. Lucky, our house currently has the energy efficient windows installed but there are many other ways in which we can actually get money back for being green! We will have to, at one point, install an energy efficient heating system which is on our to-do list since it currently dates back to 1970. I think its great that the government is offering these tax credits but I also take personal satisfaction in doing what I can for the environment. Even if its little things such as buying the new energy efficient light bulbs or building a compost pile in the backyard- all the little things count and I plant to actively seek out the different ways I can be green at my new home! If you have any other tips or advice on ways to be energy efficient, please post below!