Enjoy this summer and the great outdoors, plus save money, cut energy costs, and protect your families’ health all with these tips provided by the EPA.
Energy Star Savings for your Home
Raising your thermostat by only 2 degrees and using a ceiling fan on low can lower cooling costs by up to 15%. Change out incandescent light bulbs with EPA’s Energy Star qualified lighting; not only does it use less energy, but it produces about 75% less heat.
Increase your Gas Mileage
Reduce your idling time, obey the speed limit, avoid hard accelerations, and unload unnecessary items from trunk will all help to increase your fuel economy.
Prevent Skin Cancer and be Sun Wise
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US. Practice safe sun habits. http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/actionsteps.html
Heading to the Beach? Check the Water
Check out your specific beach advisory and closing notifications http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/beaches/whereyoulive_state.cfm
Smartphone Apps
Get location-specific current air quality information and an hourly forecast of UV radiation levels
Protect yourself with Insect Repellents
Mosquitoes and ticks carry diseases, but the right repellent can protect you free their bites.
Water Wisely
As much as 30% of outdoor water is wasted due to evaporation by watering in the middle of the day. Instead, water in the morning when the winds are calm and temperatures are cool.
Clean Greener
If you’re going to wash the car, deck, boat, RV, or grill – be sure to look for the Design for the Environment (DfE) label to identify products that are safer for families and help protect the environment.
Improve your Indoor Air
While inside this summer, make sure to free your house of mold, test for radon, check your carbon monoxide detector and ask smokers to go outside.
Check into an Energy Star Hotel
An Energy Star certified hotel use an average of 35% less energy and emit an average of 35% less greenhouse gas emissions than non-certified hotels.
Waste Less and Recycle More
Americans generate millions of tons of waste in homes and communities. Recycled items such as glass can be used in roadway asphalt and recovered plastic can be used in carpeting and park benches.
Season Firewood
Split firewood to the proper size; stack so that air can circulate around it; cover the top to protect is from rain; and store your firewood for at least 6 months before using it.
Looking for a Summer Project? Try Composting
Fun and educational, composting saves landfill space, helps feed the soil and prevents methane.