save the environment!

today is the energy conservation blog for apartment dwellers:

ONE. replace all your incandescent light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) bulbs. these use 2/3 less energy and last 10 times longer. try to find low-mercury CFLs - all fluorescent lights use mercury (this does not emit from the bulb so will not harm you) but the amount of mercury in a standard CFL is less than the amount emitted by a coal-consuming power generator in giving additional power to the incandescent bulb and the mercury from CFL can be carefully disposed. CFLs should be considered hazardous waste when disposed. here is one site that sells them: EFI.
if you prefer whiter light, get a bulb rated higher in color temperature (above 2700 Kelvin) - which would be toward the bluer end of the color spectrum. these tend to also have a better color rendering index (CRI) - sunlight is 100. if you can though, use LEDs or cold cathodes! those are even better but at this point their wattage is still very low.

TWO. install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. a good attachment has smaller holes so will not reduce water pressure but will lower the gpm (gallons per minute) from the spout. an aerator mixes air with water to maintain the water pressure. to determine whether you need one, take a 2-quart container, turn on your spout, and note how long it takes for the container to fill. if it takes less than 24.5 seconds, your gpm is over 2.5 and you should replace the head. here is a link to some EFI. try to get them with an off-valve so you can shut it off temporarily when, say, you are scrubbing.