, HGTV

Switch it off: Plug electronic equipment into power strips that can be turned off when the items are not in use.X...X...XBuy recycled: Buy recycled toilet paper, paper towels and paper napkins made from post-consumer waste. These items are widely available and have a comparable cost.X...X...X

Green building products do work. In the past, products like low-flow showerheads and toilets weren't optimal, which caused a lingering bad reputation. These days, most new green products work as well if not better than traditional products.X...X...X

Use energy-efficient settings on dishwashers. Use the water-miser and heat-free dryer settings on your dishwasher to help save energy.X...X...XBuy the proper-sized dishwasher. Small households that don't use many dishes can cut energy use with drawer-sized dishwashers. If you create a lot of dirty dishes, one big model is best.X...X...X

Eat Sustainably. By growing some of your own food and buying locally grown produce, you eliminate the need to use fossil fuels to transport vegetables from a faraway field to your plate.X...X...X

Mulch, Mulch, Mulch! You will reduce weeds, save water and nourish the soil.X...X...XChoose the Right Plants: Pick hardy varieties that can stand up to disease, pests and dry weather. Choose many types of plants because too many of the same kind makes your garden vulnerable to pests and disease.X...X...X

Keep Landscaping Natural. Use plants that are native to your area because they are naturally sustainable and easier to grow.X...X...X

Earth-Friendly Bathrooms. Look for water-saving showerheads and toilets and replace or repair leaky faucets immediately. In addition, use an energy-efficient tankless water heater rather than one large tank that serves an entire house. A typical water heater can burn through $50 per month in electricity just to heat the water.X...X...X

Track Your Trash. Pay attention to how much trash you generate by eating fast food or accepting plastic bags when shopping. Bring your own plastic/metal boxes to your favorite take-out restaurant and use reusable shopping bags at the grocery store to help reduce the amount of garbage going to the landfills.X...X...X

Kitchen Counters. Purchase natural materials for countertops, such as natural stone or wood instead of using laminate-style tops. The natural varieties use less energy to produce.X...X...X

Water-Heater Improvements. Simple changes to your existing unit can cut your energy bills and carbon emissions by 25 percent or more. Wrap the device in a water-heater-insulating blanket and insulate the first 3 to 6 feet of hot- and cold-water pipes. These changes should take less than an hour to complete and cost less than $50.X...X...X