Ways to lessen impact on the environment while enjoying the Summer months.
Mow the lawn only as often as needed. – For most lawns, cutting the grass no lower than 2 ½ inches – 3 ½ inches high is ideal for crowding out crab grass and other weeds. Longer grass retains water better as well.
Select an electric mower, which emit far fewer pollutants than gasoline-powered mowers. They are much quieter and are often easier to push. Battery-powered mowers offer the same benefits, but their battery packs contain heavy metals and must be disposed of in a hazardous waste facility.
Walk the course when playing golf. – The exercise will do you good and not using a gas-powered cart will help the environment too. Encourage your golf course owners to replace gas carts with electric-powered ones which reduce both air and noise pollution.
Having a picnic? – Pack food and snacks in reusable containers, rather than in foil or plastic wrap. Take fresh fruit along – it comes with its own wrapper – no additional packaging needed!
Guard against sunburn and insects. – Select a sunscreen and insect repellent made with fewer chemicals. Resist the urge to spray the entire area with pesticides.
Keep cool while being “Green.” – Air conditioning accounts for 14% of America’s home electricity use. Use your A/C wisely and running efficiently.
- If buying a new air conditioner, choose one with a high Energy Efficiency Rating (EER). The higher the EER, the less it will cost you to operate the A/C to achieve the same level of cooling.
- Don’t buy or use more cooling capacity than you need. Ask us at Nashoba Air & BoilerWorks to size the proper air conditioning system for your home for optimal efficiency.
- Keep your air conditioner maintained. An annual tune-up goes a long way to keeping your system working at its best. Remember to replace the air filter regularly.
- Consider installing a whole-house ventilating fan in the attic to cool the house, even if you have central air.
- Review the signs of a home with too much humidity (link to newsletter) and think about installing a whole-home dehumidifier which can eliminate that clammy feeling and indoor “stickiness” or musty odors. When you have the right amount of moisture in the air, you feel more comfortable. Proper de-humidification is what helps to maintain the right indoor temperature and comfort.
- Set your thermostat as high as possible. 78 degrees Fahrenheit is often recommended as a reasonably comfortable and energy-efficient indoor temperature. Program the thermostat higher when no one is home.
- Draw the blinds to reduce the need for air conditioning, especially on south-facing windows.
With these guidelines, we can all enjoy the summer months, which fly by at seemingly warp speed, while protecting our environment for our families and our future.
