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.

We recently posted on some of the common misconceptions people have about CFLs. Since then, two other noteworthy myths have been sent my way that I wanted to address. Hopefully some former skeptics will now trade out their incandescent bulbs for CFLs!

Myth: CFLs will actually harm the environment because they use so much energy to make and ship.
Truth: The amount of energy required to manufacture, transport, and dispose of a CFL is about 4% of the bulb’s total energy use. Scientists found that it takes about 1-2kWh of energy to make and ship a CFL (even from China). However each CFL save at least 200kWh of energy over its lifetime.

Myth: Finding a recycler is hard.
Truth: You shouldn’t throw used CFLs out with the trash. Check with your local waste management agency or visit earth911.org for disposal options. Also, many large retailers such as IKEA and Home Depot will accept used CFLs.

You may know people who are hesitant to switch to those new swirly light bulbs.  Why?  In most circumstances, it’s simply a case of misperceptions and outdated reasons.

Myth: CFLs produce a harsh blue light.
Truth: CFLs nowadays are engineered specifically for consumers expecting “soft white” light that mimics natural sunlight and the warm light of incandescent bulbs.  CFLs with a value of 2,700 to 3,000 Kelvin (K) have a warmer, yellower color; higher K values will emit a bluer or whiter light.  Energy Star rated CFLs will have their Kelvin value listed on the packaging.

Myth: CFLs flicker when they first light.
Truth: That happened in earlier CFLs with magnetic ballasts. New ones use electronic ballasts, which do not flicker.

Myth: CFLs need time to turn on.
Truth: Turn-on is now nearly instant. But most CFLs tested took about 30 seconds to reach 80 percent of their brightness.

Myth: CFLs can’t be dimmed or used in 3-way fixtures.
Truth: Early CFLs did not have dimming capabilities. The technology has evolved, however, to suit a number a lighting needs.  Look carefully at the packaging for those made specifically to work with dimmers or 3-way fixtures.

Myth: CFLs are expensive and won’t save money.
Truth: While CFLs cost more than incandescent bulbs to purchase, their energy efficiency and longevity make up for the cost differential. A CFL uses about 75% less energy than a standard incandescent and can last up to 10 times longer, saving about $30 over the course of its lifetime.

Myth: CFLs are a major safety hazard because they contain mercury.
Truth: Yes, CFLs contain tiny amounts of mercury; however they are not a major safety hazard.  If you break a CFL, use common sense to clean (open windows, clean up, and remove the debris).  Your exposure to mercury will be minimal – the equivalent of taking a tiny nibble of tuna, according to a staff scientist at Berkeley Lab