Earth Day: 5 Simple Things You Can Do To Go Green

ERNEST SCHEYDER
AP Energy Writer

NEW YORK—Quick: it's Earth Day and you've done nothing to go green. In fact, you don't even know where to start.

Instead of spending thousands of dollars — which most of us don't have, anyhow — throwing solar panels on your roof or ripping out old insulation, here are a five simple, eco-friendly things you can do in one day.

1. Water fixtures. Swap out your old water fixtures for low-flow devices. The average American uses about 100 gallons of water each day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Buying faucets or shower heads made using the EPA's WaterSense guidelines helps conserve water and cut your electric and water bills. If just one of out 100 homes used low-flow devices, that would save about 100 million kilowatts of electricity and keep 80,000 tons of greenhouse gases — the equivalent emitted by 15,000 cars — out of the atmosphere each year, the EPA says.

— Average cost for a low-flow shower head: $10 and up

2. Light bulbs. Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving compact flourescents. Sure, they might cost a few extra bucks, but they'll pay for themselves within six months and save you about $30 over their lifetime. What's more, they last about 10 times longer than traditional bulbs, according to the EnergyStar program. In 2007, Americans' move to CFL bulbs lowered greenhouse gases by the same amount as taking 2 million cars off the road.

— Average cost for a pack of six 100 watt-equivalent CFLs: $15

3. Window shades. Get energy-efficient insulated window shades. If you can't afford EnergyStar windows right away, try installing insulating shades in the interim. They keep warm air in during the winter, and out during the summer, which will lower your heating and cooling costs. The only caveat is the price; unlike simple shades, insulating blinds typically start at about $40 each. Most national retailers, like JCPenney, stock them.

— Average cost for four insulating shades: $160

4. Programmable thermostat. Install an efficient programmable thermostat. Most American houses spend about $2,000 a year on energy bills, a large chunk of which goes directly to heating and cooling. But all too often, the heat is blasting when wearing a sweater will do or the house is chilled to the extreme. Programming your thermostat to be a little cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer could save about $180 per year, according to EnergyStar.

— Average cost for a programmable thermostat: $25 and up

5. Electricity. Call your electric provider and buy green power. Utilities across the nation offer consumers the chance to have part of their power come from renewable resources. The trick is that it's usually offered at a premium. In Virginia, for instance, Dominion Virginia Power's customers pay a 1.5 cent-premium per kilowatt if they want some of their power to come from biomass, hydro, solar or wind resources. There's no way to guarantee that renewable power makes it to your house; customers are effectively paying to have more green power added to the grid. Still, it's a start.

— Average premium for green power: varies by market.