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Save energy and extend the life of your lightbulbs by investing in dimmer switches throughout your home and business. Similar to reducing the brightness of your device screens, lowering the brightness of your overhead lights can reduce strain on your eyes.   Additionally, adding dimmer lights can add to the level of

To ensure your dryer is working most efficiently, you must be sure to remove the lint from the interior lint trap before each new wash. Every 6 months, it is very important to remove the lint trapped in the dryer duct and vent.  There are tools you

We are living in an age where we spend most of our time looking at some sort of screen every day. Whether we work in front of a computer, or use your cell phone or TV for entertainment, we have nearly unlimited access to screens.   There are

Growing your own herbs has endless benefits! Herbs can be grown and cared for in small pots, making this an accessible option for anyone who enjoys fresh herbs such as basil, cilantro, thyme, rosemary, lavender, dill, and so many more!   This is a sustainable option, because typically store-bought herbs

To keep your home cool in the hot summer months, keep your blinds and curtains closed. By doing this, you’ll help your fans and air conditioners work more efficiently, which will save on cooling costs in the long run. Another tip is to keep your windows open at

When is the last time you changed your furnace filter? You should change your furnace filter every 90 days, and at least each season. If you cannot see light through your filter, you need to swap it out for a new, clean one.   Maintaining a clean filter will take

Composting is an anyone, anywhere type of activity! Grab your food scraps and start conditioning your soil, for free!  When you compost your own food waste, you reduce the amount of waste that enters landfills, which reduces community costs with collection and processing.   Compost provides food for

While it may not always be top of mind, keeping your car’s tires properly inflated will enhance your fuel economy. Each 5% under-inflation translates to a 1% decrease in fuel economy.   Tires lose about 1-2 PSI per month. In colder months, especially relevant in Otsego County, you could be driving

We have grown accustomed to disposable options for nearly everything in our lives. This includes cups, plates, cutlery, water bottles, straws, and the list goes on. In the name of convenience, we have added to the waste in our landfills. While it may seem like a drop in the

Trees, shrubs, and flowers that are native to our state are some of the most vital plants we can grow. Native plants have many benefits, including:   Low maintenance & conserve water – because these plants are native, they work incredibly well with their ecosystem, requiring less care and water  Healthy option

It’s the perfect time of year to get out in your community and shop local. Fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, meats, eggs, and baked goods are all in season. By shopping at farmer’s markets and farm stands, you are supporting local farmers and small businesses.   Shopping local is

Instead of loading up the dishwasher this week, wash your dishes by hand. You will use less water and less energy, if you do things the right way! Be mindful to wash dishes in order from least dirty to most dirty. To conserve the most water,

Now that it’s summer, you may see more clothes hanging out on the line in the sun! Get in on the fun and enjoy fresh, sun-warmed clothes, all while saving costs in your energy bill. Gas and electric dryers can be convenient, though they increase your carbon footprint. There

We’re half-way through the month, have you participated in Plastic Free July yet? Re-think your use of plastics in your everyday life. Are there one or two things you can eliminate or replace? Think straws, plastic shopping bags, plastic to-go cups, and even many household items like shampoo,

Be mindful of your energy use when it comes to lightbulbs! Lightbulbs have come a long way with efficiency, but at the end of the day, flipping the switch to OFF is a good move. The amount of energy used depends on the type of light bulb you’re using. Halogen

Before tossing everything you can into the recycling bin, make sure the thing you’re tossing isn’t smaller than a credit card. Small items like bottle caps, shreds of paper, or drink can tabs may become stuck in the machines. Sometimes, bottle caps are made of different materials than the bottle itself. This means

This is a low-effort tip that can sometimes be overlooked. Before tossing something in the recycling bin, make sure the item is cleaned and dried off. As an extra step, check your bins regularly to make sure they’re clean inside and out as well. A good