Green Tips for Spring
By Barbara Rivera, Congress Park Green Team
Water Conservation
- Check your water bill. Denver’s goal for “Daily Indoor Water Use” is 40 gallons/person, but we average a whopping 150 gallons! Low-flow shower & faucets save 10-15,000 gallons of water (family of 4) annually. Low Flow Toilets can save 4,000 gallons per person per year.
- Washing clothes uses 18.5% of our water. Do laundry only when you have a full load.
Home Energy Efficiency
- Place “Wall Plate Insulating Gaskets” behind light switches & receptacle plates on outside walls to keep out cold air trapped in exterior walls. (Home Depot 10-pack $2.54)
- Insulate water heater and set no higher than 120 degrees (saves $18-25/year).
- Set ceiling fan blade rotation (rotate clockwise) to draw cool air up & push warm air out & down in winter. Change rotation in summer to direct cooling air downward.
Transportation Options Reduce Pollution & Congestion
- Going to the Airport? Take the train! Catch the #40 bus (Colorado Blvd) or #24 bus (Josephine) to the 40th & Colorado Station. Tell bus driver you’re taking the train to the airport, pay $9 & get transfer ticket. RTD Trip Planner helps you navigate the city: www.rtd-denver.com
- Lower car exhaust and fuel use by reducing idling. If you stop for more than 10 seconds, turn engine off. No need to “warm up engine” on cold days. Car warms faster when you drive off gently.
Waste Diversion & Reduction
- Shop locally to reduce influx of online purchase packing material.
- Re-useable kitchen towels & washcloths reduce use of paper products. Colorful cloth napkins jazz up your meals. Most can be used multiple times before washing.
- Denver’s recycling rate (17.7%) is one of the worst in the country. Help us reach the national 34% average (Denver’s goal). Think before you toss recyclable items!
Every action helps. Together we make a huge impact!
