I replaced my thermostat with a 5 day/2 day programmable thermostat. Before I would try to remember to turn the temperature down before I left for work, but of course, that didn’t really work out. So I got a programmable one so I can set my apartment temperature for the weekdays, as well as the weekend.
I set up the thermostat to be 68 in the morning and evening, and 62 when I’m gone and asleep.
The great thing is I’m in the middle of the three-story condo unit. Also the vents are in the ceiling so my downstairs neighbor is warming my place. So my furnace barely goes off.
This effort knocks off #37. Adjust the household temperature on my eco-wishlist.
I’m giving up my beloved paper to do list for an efficient, conservation pda type. I’ve actually had my PDA for some time and generally use it for list type items but always seemed to come back to the pen and paper. It might be the writer in me (actually I’m sure it is) that keeps me connected with the scratching of parchment for sentimentality’s sake, but I feel that now with this eco-quest, I need to put down the pen and take up my stylus sword.
Wow the drama, but this sort of occasion needs some dramatization. This is a big deal for writers. You just don’t understand. Working completely on the computer doesn’t work. I know, I know, printout are awful but if you’re not an editor, you don’t understand. You miss so much on the screen. It’s like the nuances of the ink and letters on paper hide themselves on screen until they can fully ripen on the page. So that’s why I’m moving to the pda list to cut down on paper as much as I can. However, I feel this may be a work in progress item on the eco-wishlist.
I’ve unplugged the cell phone charger. Phew! Who knew it was such a waste? I sure didn’t. But I’ve taken to only plugging it in when I’m charging. What I used to do is charge it all night and grab it on my way out. Now I’m charging when it gets low, not leaving the charger plugged in all the time.
I still haven’t graduated to turning off my TV/VCR/DVD, etc. but they are all on power strips. My computer is on two, but I can’t reach one of them where it is located now. That’s a green thing for another day. So is turning off the computer. But my attempts at work have been fairly successful. Except my greener settings seem to make my Mac act funny. I will, however, continue to turn off the computer each night before I leave.
I had several errands to run today. A few fabric stores for a project, Target for a bridal shower gift and Trader Joe’s for some odds and ends. It turned out I didn’t find anything at the fabric stores and I only got the bridal shower gift and a mug for a friend’s graduation gift from Target. Once I got in line and the cashier started bagging my items, I remember about the reusable Whole Foods bags in my trunk. Shoot! I should’ve brought it in. But I tried my hardest in a pinch to reduce by asking that only the mug was bagged (the other gift was boxy and clunky and I probably would’ve dropped the mug). So two plastic bags down to one. I’ll count that a half reduce point.
Then I ventured over to Trader Joe’s and I remembered to grab my reusable, 100% recyclable bag and throw it at the bottom of my basket. That worked out great. As I was checking out, the cashier was able to grab it and throw everything in. Yay for reusing! one green thing accomplished. Now I just have to remember to grab the bag more often.
