Spring is a great time to think green. What can you do to make your home friendlier to the planet?

Reduce Heating and Air Conditioning Energy Use
Make sure your air conditioning system is ready for summer. Clean around the outside unit and clear away anything that might reduce airflow. Check your heating and air conditioning system filter once a month and change it if necessary. Have regular check ups of your heating and cooling system by qualified professionals. If you have an older home, increasing the amount of insulation is a cost-effective investment in comfort and lower energy bills.     A ceiling fan can make you feel about four degrees cooler, letting you increase your air conditioning setting by four degrees and save 10 to 15 percent on your cooling bills.

Buy ENERGY STAR® Qualified Appliances
When buying new appliances and electronics, look for the ENERGY STAR label to find the most energy-efficient models. If every household in the U.S. used ENERGY STAR rated electronics, the electricity saved would reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the emissions from more than 1.5 million cars.

Landscape to Save Energy and Water
Shade trees and shrubs to the south and west will help reduce cooling costs. Shading your air conditioner or heat pump unit can increase its efficiency by as much as 10 percent over the summer. Leave four to five feet between plants and the unit to ensure proper airflow. For information about drought-resistant landscaping, see www.conservewatergeorgia.net.

Recycling Saves
Recycling can save energy as well as reduce waste. For example, making a pound of aluminum from recycled aluminum scrap uses less than five percent of the energy it takes to make a pound of aluminum from bauxite ore. Recycling paper uses much less energy than making paper from trees. Encourage recycling by buying from companies that use recycled products.

A few easy steps can help you reduce your impact on the planet - and save money. For more information about reducing energy use, see the Your Home section of this site.