Do Just One Thing

12/5/09

In winter, heat lost through windows can account for as much as 25 percent of your heating bill. While it makes sense to replace single pane windows with an Energy Star-rated double-pane one, it can be expensive. A quick and temporary fix is to simply spray a drafty window with water and attach bubble wrap by sticking it bubble-side down against the window; it will double the efficiency of the window.

12/4/09

Shipping gifts to loved ones? Well, send those Styrofoam peanuts packing with these green ideas: Use dried pasta, real peanuts or fresh evergreen to protect fragile items when shipping them. The best part? The recipient can munch on the peanuts, cook up a baked ziti or toss the evergreens into the fireplace for instant kindling. Two gifts in one.

12/3/09

Choose LED holiday lights when decorating the tree or around the house. LEDs (which stands for "light emitting diodes") last up to 20 years and use only one-tenth the energy of traditional Christmas lights. While they may cost a bit more, the energy and lifetime-use savings will more than pay for the investment. Added bonus: LED lights do not get warm, which makes them a safer alternative for children, since they're cool to the touch.