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Replace incandescent bulbs with CFL bulbs
Circline Magnifier lamp
Use this magnifying lamp to illuminate anything that requires a bit of extra magnification: needlework, knitting, or emergency first aid! The bulbs are CFLs and the lense, used by medical professionals and spas alike, will help you zoom in on small images.Energy Wiser 5-Watt Torpedo Candelabra Base CFL
Save energy and lower your carbon footprint with this stylish compact fluorescent bulb that's specially designed to work in sconces and chandeliers. Bulbs measure 4.3 inches and produce an average of 8,000 hours of warm white light (3,000 Kelvins) over their lifetime.GE Energy Smart Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs
Select from among GE's extensive array of energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs—everything from spiral CFLs for your room lamps to outdoor floodlights.Globe 15-Watt R30 Indoor/Outdoor Compact Fluorescent Flood Reflector Bulb
Equivalent to a 50W incandescent bulb, these ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs are great for large surface areas, both inside and out. They’re set to shine for 8,000-10,000 hours, eight to 10 times longer than similar incandescents.Globe 23-Watt Mini Compact Fluorescent Spiral Bulb, Soft White
Want a replacement for your dimmable light bulbs? Look no further. These CFLs fit most standard medium base bulb fixtures, replace your energy-wasting 100W bulbs, are ENERGY STAR qualified, and warranted for 5 years.Ikea 11-watt Sparsam
Save energy—and money—with these low-priced (3 for $3.99) Ikea Sparsam compact fluorescent bulbs. Ikea claims its bulbs, which are specifically designed for table and standing lamps, last six times longer than regular incandescents (about 6,000 hours) and use 80 percent less electricity. Sparsam bulbs are available in Ikea stores only.Lumiram Ecolume full-spectrum compact fluorescent bulbs
Lumiram's Ecolume line of compact fluorescents come in five wattages (15 W, 20 W, 23 W, 25 W, 3 Way) and several different designs, including spiral. Bulbs emit full-spectrum natural light, according to the company, making them good for use anywhere in your home.n:vision 14-Watt R-30 Soft White CFL
Great for flood lights, these bulbs use 75 percent less energy than 65W incandescents, saving $82 per bulb. Its color is warm and it lasts four times as long as standard bulbs. All n:vision bulbs are ENERGY STAR qualified.Sylvania 14-watt compact fluorescent bulb
Replace your regular 60-watt incandescent light bulbs with these 14-watt CFLs. Measuring 5 inches, they provide the same amount of soft white light as 60 watt incandescents (often slightly more) and last at least five times longer (about 8,000 hours). Sylvania claims one compact fluorescent bulb pays for itself after only five months.
Get green electricity or buy RECs
3Degrees
In addition to their carbon offset offering, 3Degrees is a leading national supplier of Green-e Certified RECs sourced from a variety of renewable energy technologies, including wind, biomass, geothermal, solar, low-impact hydro, landfill gas, and biogas. Use the footprint calculator to get started on your green energy path.Bonneville Environmental Foundation
Purchase some green tags for yourself, or buy some as a gift for a friend! This countrywide service draws power from wind, solar, and low-impact hydro power systems (you can even choose which form of energy to support). This company is Green-e certified.Green Energy Choice
Use the carbon calculator to estimate how many green credits to purchase in order to offset your power usage. Green Energy Choice provides RECs (the White Fence Green service) to virtually anyone across the US.NativeEnergy
Purchase some green tags for yourself, or buy some as a gift. This nationwide service draws power from wind, solar, and low-impact hydro power systems (you can even choose which form of energy to support). NativeEnergy is Green-e certified.Renewable Choice Energy
With both family (9,000 kWh/year) and individual (3,000 kWh/year) Green-e certified plans to choose from, you’ll find something that fits your power needs. Monthly fees range from a low $5 to $15 and new subscribers can opt to receive gift cards for a variety of green products and services.Sterling Planet
Sterling Planet offers renewable energy certificates in every state, and even provides a quick breakdown of current dirty energy sources in your area. The credits are sources from wind, hydro, geothermal, and bioenergy.
Install a programmable thermostat
Honeywell TH8110 VisionPro Programmable Thermostat
This ENERGY STAR-qualified programmable thermostat features a touchscreen.Hunter Fan Company 44360 7-Day Energy Star Programmable Thermostat
This inexpensive programmable thermostat is ENERGY STAR compliant.
Install faucet aerators
Creative Energy Technologies Inc. 1.5 gpm Faucet Aerator
Creative Energy Technologies offers several aerators, including this 1.5 gpm model. It's designed to deliver a strong spray while minimizing water usage. A 0.5 gpm model is also available for even more water conservation.USA Landlord 1.0 GPM Faucet Aerator
USA Landlord offers a wide assortment of faucet aerators for kitchens and bathrooms. This one, recommended for bathrooms, offers a flow rate of 1.0 gpm. It also features dual threads (male and female threads) that should fit most faucets.Utility Savers Ultra High Performance Faucet Aerator
This aerator comes in 0.375 gpm, 0.5 gpm, or 0.7 gpm models, allowing you to cut water use by 80 percent or more. Features a vacuum booster valve that boosts the intensity of the aerator stream flow by 2.5 times over conventional aerator streams.
Install double pane windows
Pella ThermaStar Sliding Window 10 Series Low E
These windows are ENERGY STAR rated, come with double-panes, and include low-e coating with argon gas filling.
Clean green
Biokleen Natural Household Cleaners
Biokleen offers a full line of biodegradable, eco-friendly household cleaners. It also has a complete line of toxin-free soy-based cleaners.Earth Friendly Kleeners
From floor to shower and everywhere in between, Earth Friendly's line of biodegradable cleaning products are free of enzymes, phosphates, chlorine, cocamide DEA, DEA, petroleum, and alcohol, and are scented with natural oils like tea tree and lavender.Eco-Products Eco Cleaners
Eco-Products features a full line of bathroom, kitchen, glass, and surface cleaners, free from toxics and harmful ingredients.Ecover Ecological Floor Soap
Ecover's specialized floor soap contains natural linseed oil, but they don't stop there. From dishes to laundry to shower to counter tops, check out Ecover's line of eco-friendly cleaning products.Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Products
Mrs. Meyer's aromatherapeutic cleaning supplies are made with natural essential oils, are biodegradable and phosphate-free, and never tested on animals.Natural Choices Home Safe Products
Natural Choices offers a complete line of cleaning products that are environmentally safe, nontoxic, and derived from natural raw materials whenever possible.Petganics floor cleaner
This nontoxic floor cleaner is safe for humans, the environment, and most importantly, your pet.Seaside Naturals simple. pure. clean natural cleaners
This all-natural line of cleaning products combines the power of plant- and vegetable-based ingredients with pure essential oils for their cleaning properties and aromatherapy health benefits.Seventh Generation Free and Clear All Purpose Cleaner
Seventh Generation products use plant-based cleaning agents making them nontoxic, free of unpleasant fumes, petroleum, and dangerous chemicals. They are biodegradable, vegan, and cruelty-free.Shaklee Basic H2™ Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate
These ultraconcentrated products add up to powerful cleaners when mixed with water. A mere 16 ounces becomes 48 gallons of a versatile cleaner that's nontoxic and biodegradable.The Clean Environment Company Natural Cleaners
This full line of cleaning products is safer for the environment and human health and has a proven record in commercial operations.
Choose used or secondhand items
craigslist
Peruse the free online classified ads (search in your own geographic region or anywhere) for just about anything you can name.Freecycle USA
Post items you want to give away for free or get free items from others with this no-charge online membership organization.Freecycle Canada
Like its American counterpart, this online Canadian community lets you post items to give away or find treasures from others.FurnitureTrader.com
Buy and sell used and new furniture online. There is a small fee for listing on this site, but it'll give you exposure to millions of buyers nationwide.Goodwill Industries International, Inc. (various locations)
Goodwill sells donated goods in more than 2,000 retail stores. As of 2006, Goodwill stores had sold more than 2 million items received from more than 58 million donors.Once Upon a Child
Sells new and used children's clothes, furniture, and more at their stores located throughout the US and Canada. You can even take your secondhand items to sell on consignment.Plato's Closet
With franchises across the US and Canada, these exchange stores specialize in clothing alluring to teens, twenty-something's, and aging fashionistas.Used Furniture Findex
Buy and sell used furniture online from near to home or far and wide. They offer new and used listings and even provide a service directory.
Buy low- or no-VOC latex paint
AFM Safecoat paints and primers
All Safecoat paints have very low VOC content. The VOCs that are present are considered to be neither toxic nor hazardous.Benjamin Moore Aura paint
Aura paint is low-VOC (although EcoSpec paint offgases fewer VOCs than Aura). EcoSpec paints have limited colors, whereas Aura offers the full spectrum of Benjamin Moore colors. Aura paint is thicker than standard latex paint, but costs nearly twice as much.Benjamin Moore Eco-Spec
Benjamin Moore, a well-known and favorite paint manufacturer, now provides paint that meets the most stringent national standards. Eco-spec paint is odorless and does not harm the environment.HealthyHomes Baby HealthyHues
Ideal for baby rooms. Low odor when wet and odorless when dry. It also does not contain any toxic chemicals or harmful solvents that are usually found in regular household paints.Olympic paint and stain
Olympic carries a range of zero-VOC formula paints that are odor-free. With the Green Seal stamp of approval, you're sure to be getting a thoroughly tested product.Sherwin-Williams Harmony Interior Latex
This low odor, no-VOC formula can be applied in occupied rooms without causing a disruption. It comes in Eg-Shel, Flat, and Semi-Gloss finishes and can even be used in baby's room.YOLO Colorhouse
With both interior and exterior Green Seal Certified paint and locations in both Canada and the US, this environmentally friendly paint company supports local communities and promotes environmental and social values.
Buy a certified green home
EcoBroker International Property Search
Ecobroker.com listings include some green properties. Not all are certified but you can search for specific green features, including "ENERGY STAR Certified Home", with the site’s comprehensive search engine. EcoBroker provides education and certification for real estate agents who want to specialize in green properties.ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes
ENERGY STAR homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient. The ENERGY STAR website offers listings to find home builders, lenders that offer energy-efficient mortgages, utilities that offer special incentives to buyers, and home energy raters that can verify the energy efficiency of a home.Green Communities Building Program for Affordable Housing
Green Communities is a green building program that encourages builders to create affordable green housing. The organization offers grants, loans, tax-credit equity, training, and technical assistance.GreenHomesForSale.com Property Search
This site lists homes by state and country, as well as by attributes such as small homes, natural homes, and solar homes. The site also includes lists of green realtors, builders and architects.ListedGreen Property Search
Billed as the Green MLS (Multiple Listing Service) for homes and eco-friendly developments, this company reviews each listing in an effort to eliminate false green claims. Home buyers can search for homes by city, state, or country.Residential Energy Services Network Directory
Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) does not list green homes for sale. Instead, it certifies home energy raters, who are trained to inspect and verify the green features and performance of a home you are considering.US Green Building Council LEED for Homes
LEED for Homes is a rating system that promotes the construction of high-performance green homes. LEED homes undergo inspection and performance reviews by independent inspectors. The USGBC's website offers a list of certified homes.Vivavi's Modern Green Living
Modern Green Living enables consumers to find newly built green residences and green home professionals throughout the US and Canada. Find green architects, builders, remodeling experts, interior designers, realtors, and building consultants by state or zip code.
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