This can be accomplished by using dimmers and other lighting controls, and educating family members to turn off unneeded lights.

Lowering wattage, which involves replacing bulbs or entire fixtures with alternatives that provide the same amount or greater amounts of light with but with reduced electricity usage. Today, this can be accomplished most easily by replacing inefficient incandescent bulbs with incandescent/halogen bulbs or compact fluorescent bulbs.

Unplug any appliance that is not being used.  Plugged in appliances, even while off, use electricity.

Turn off all lights and appliances when not in use (fans, humidifiers, A/C). 

Check the back of the paint can for levels of volatile organic chemicals "VOCs". An ideal paint has fewer than 150 grams per liter. These are often labeled low-VOC or no-VOC.

For homes built before 1978, test painted surfaces for lead before sanding. If lead is found, contact a professional for remediation.

Common hardwood floors come from trees that take 50 years or more to reach maturity, where as bamboo replenishes every four to six years.

Cork contains a naturally occurring substance called suberin that repels insects, mites and mold. This makes cork floors a great product for people with allergies as it is hypoallergenic. The suberin in cork also makes it naturally fire resistant and also protects it from rotting when wet.

Many dishwashing detergents contain phosphates, which end up in our waterways. Algae and phytoplankton feed on phosphates and reproduce in massive numbers; causing an algal bloom. Algal blooms block out sunlight and cause oxygen imbalances in a body of water; and as a result kill off other species. If large amounts are ingested, this can even kill humans. Switch to organic, chemical free detergents to help reudce the levels of phosphates in our water. If it is impractical to use phosphate free detergents, find detergents that have lower phosphates levels around 1.6%.

It’s reported that over 25,000 tons of toothbrushes end up in landfill in America each year. Next time before you toss your old toothbrushes try finding another purpose for it around your home. Given the small head size of a toothbrush, they are really handy for all sorts of jobs around the home (once disinfected) including: scrubbing in between tiles, as a paintbrush for your kid’s art projects, cleaning car battery terminals, or cleaning mud from shoes.