The Leaves Aren’t Green Anymore, But You Can Be

With the weather cooling, it might be a bit harder to think of ways to stay green. Here are some tips for doing just that this winter:

• Move furniture or any obstructions from vents, baseboard heaters, registers on the floor or radiators so that air moves freely.
• Vacuum the refrigerator coils to keep the compressor running efficiently. Check the seal on the door … try closing it on a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily, it’s time to replace the gaskets.
• Clean the ducts and area behind the dryer. And don’t forget, clean the filter after every use and wash it every once in awhile.
• Install foam covers over outside water spigots to prevent freezing.
• Check for water leaks both inside and outside.
• Bring in any houseplants that have spent the summer outdoors. They’ll help clean the air.
• Consider raking leaves rather than using a “blower”. Once raked up, use them as mulch to protect plants throughout the winter.
• If you have a ceiling fan, reverse the direction to run clockwise (stand under the fan and if you feel a breeze, reverse the direction so that air is being drawn upwards). This pulls the air up against the ceiling and down the walls, to gently re-circulate the warm air without creating a cooling “wind chill effect.”