Five Ways to Help the Environment at Home

Earth Day is coming up, which should serve as a reminder that we need to preserve and nurture our environment. 

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, there are several things we can do in house to help the environment. Here are five ideas offered by the agency:

1. Turn off your appliances and lights when you leave a room. You'll save energy and money. If you switch to Energy Star appliances, you'll help cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and save up to $400 a year on your utility bill.
2. Plant deciduous trees in locations around your home to provide shade in the summer, but allow light in the winter.
3. Use a push mower, which unlike a gas or electric mower, doesn't consume fossil fuels or emit greenhouse gases.
4. According to the EPA, Americans waste, on average, more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets and other household leaks. Nationwide, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year, so fix your leaks!
5. On the topic of not wasting water, turn off the faucet while shaving or brushing your teeth!