In the last decade, Americans have made great strides in living more sustainably. Going green has even become the hip thing to do. With more people demanding sustainable options at affordable prices, living green is getting easier—but it certainly still isn’t effortless. The compost won’t just take out itself if you get what we mean.

If you haven’t had the itch to jump on the green bandwagon and certainly could never see yourself as one of those earthy people with the bamboo bags at the grocery store, perhaps you’ve only seen “green” in the extreme.

As winter approaches, something else is likely to get a little extreme: your electric bill. While we’ll be sure to provide you with tips before winter is upon us on how to lower costs while saving energy, now is a good time to log onto your electric account and review last winter’s energy usage. If you spent a lot of money heating your home, it’s likely the earth spent a lot of fossil fuels as well.

What can you do to help the planet without having to keep your home like an icebox and having to finally break out that Snuggie from Aunt Jane? Switch to renewable power.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, ”green power” is “power generated from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, geothermal, hydropower and various forms of biomass.” Switching to renewable energy benefits the planet by reducing the demand for non-renewable fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. For explanations on how each derives electricity, see this guide to renewable energy options.

There are now competitive markets for these services, so while you may pay slightly more each month, the difference is likely smaller than you think. For information on green power providers in your area, see The Green Power Network’s National Green Pricing Map. See? No Snuggie (or Slanket!) required.

Looking for an original pumpkin design this year? Tired of that same ol’ Jack-o-Lantern design? Copy our free pumpkin stencil and impress your trick-or-treaters with your enthusiasm for clean energy!

Thought those blinds, shades and curtains were just a way to get some privacy? Maybe just another way to decorate?  Did you know that blinds are also, and most importantly, a way to save energy and money?

Window blinds are effective at controlling passive solar heating and reducing energy loss from your home or office. Think about this. In the winter you put a thicker shirt on to keep you warm. In the summer you wear a thinner shirt, but it still protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Well, your home needs the same kind of protection.

Window shades are like a sweater for your house or office; they create a layer of insulation on the glass. This will either keep heat inside in the winter, or prevent heat from entering during the summer. This reduces the amount of heating or cooling required, decreasing the amount of energy you consume!

Best-practices for how you should operate your blinds vary by the season. In the winter, close your blinds at night; open them on south-facing windows during the day. In the summer, close your blinds during the day. For maximum energy savings, choose insulated models, such as honeycomb shades. Blinds with a white surface (facing out) are most effective at reflecting outside heat to keep your rooms cool in the summer.

Quick facts:

1. Window blinds are effective at controlling passive solar heating and reducing energy loss from your home or office.
2. Decreasing the amount of heating or cooling required cuts your energy costs.