By Eric Leech
Denver, CO, USA | Tue Jan 13 14:30:00 EST 2009
Get Better Gas Mileage When You Drive
Top Green Gas Tips
Top Green Commuting Tips
Difficulty: Medium-Easy
Savings: $245 a month (assuming 8 hours car sharing per week ($320/month), instead of monthly $275 car payment, $150 gas, $100 insurance, and $40 maintenance (oil change, etc.)).
With Companies like Zipcar and Hertz, the necessity to own a car is becoming obsolete, especially for folks living in major cities. The way it works is you pay a monthly fee to have access to a shared vehicle. They drop it off at a convenient space for you to use, usually just a few blocks away from where you live. When your time is up, you return it to a designated parking spot. You don't have to worry about paying for gas, insurance, or maintenance of any kind. Its kind of like having all the health benefits of owning a pet without having to feed, water, or clean-up after it.
Image courtesy of George Doyle/Getty.
Difficulty: As easy as riding a bike!
Savings: At least $540 (assuming no monthly $275 car payment, $150 gas, $100 insurance, $40 maintenance for car, and only an additional $25 maintenance for the bike).
You know you shouldn't be driving as much: it's adding to your carbon footprint and it's expensive. But walking isn't always convenient or even plausible. That's where biking comes in, depending on your stamina can be good for up to 10 miles or more of distance. One complaint about biking to work is getting to work sweaty, which can be easily remedied by bringing a fresh change of clothes. If your work is too far, there is also the option of driving halfway to a convenient parking lot and then riding your bike in the rest of the way. If you think a bike is not an option during the winter months, perhaps you should think again!
Image courtesy of Duncan Smith/Getty.
Difficulty: Easy to Medium depending on where you live
Savings: $385 (assuming a $180/month bus pass, instead of monthly $275 car payment, $150 gas, $100 insurance, and $40 maintenance).
Public transportation gets a bad wrap for not being as convenient as driving yourself, and while this may be true on some points, it does have its advantages. It is fairly inexpensive, relaxing, safer and healthier than driving your own vehicle, allows you the time to unwind, read, or meet new people, and most importantly, you are reducing a huge chunk of your carbon footprint.
Image courtesy of Darrin Klimek/Getty.
Difficulty: Easy
Savings: at least $150 if you own a vehicle (assuming $150/month gas).
It has been calculated that if all white-collar employees who could do their jobs from home began to telecommute twice a week, the U.S. would conserve somewhere in the range of 10 billion gallons of gasoline and save close to $40 billion a year. Some companies in Canada have already switched over to a four day work week in realization of its benefits. If your current employer does not offer such an option, it may be worth bringing it up for their consideration.
Image courtesy of Digital Vision/Getty.
Difficulty: Easy to Medium depending on the company you keep
Savings: Depends on the number of commuters you recruit, but with only one other person you can cut your costs in half. (For example, if you normally spend $150 gas per month, you would save $75 with one extra passenger and $120 with five extra passengers).
There are a number of carpooling Internet sites from which to organize a group of riders. Carpooling is the preferred method of commuting to work when you cannot work from home, you do not have a reliable public transit system near you, and walking/biking in your area is not a viable option.
Image courtesy of Ryan McVay/Getty.
Difficulty: Easy to Medium (depending on whether you do the work yourself)
Savings: Not much other than achieving reliability, optimal emissions, and your best possible fuel economy.
By keeping your car in tune, you are enabling your vehicle to run at its peak performance. A vehicle out of tune will reduce your vehicle's efficiency by up to 30 percent. The most common maintenance procedures to perform are changing your vehicle's oil, keeping filters clean, replacing spark plugs at recommended intervals, and keeping tires properly inflated.
Image courtesy of George Doyle/Getty.
Difficulty: Easy
Savings: 1% to 30% better fuel efficiency which means you could save up to $45 per month (assuming $150 average cost for gas and some very poor driving habits).
Aristotle wisely advised, moderation in all things, and centuries later we once again find that this is still the case. While there are a number of hypermiler techniques that involve aerodynamic body panels, over-inflating tires, and using various drafting techniques, the easiest and most effective method of boosting your vehicle's efficiency is to improve your driving habits. We are talking about driving at a moderate speed (55 mph), planning out the best possible route before beginning your journey, and making an effort to keep your vehicle at a constant speed by accelerating moderately and braking minimally.
Image courtesy of Ryan McVay/Getty.
Votes
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How to Go Green: Gadgets |
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How to Go Green: Hybrid Cars |
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How to Go Green: Recycling |
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How to Go Green: Cars |
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How to Go Green: Commuting |
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Buy Green: Camping Tents |
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Buy Green: Interior Paint |
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Buy Green: Mattresses |
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Votes
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Watch Ecropolis on Planet Green, Every Monday this July |
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Mini Blinds are Boring—Craft Them into Chic Fabric Shades |
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Emeril's Marinated Hanger Steak |
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How to Fly to France and Reduce your Carbon Footprint |
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Emeril's Bracciole with Pasta |
{ } |
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Would You Fall for an Eco-Myth? |
{381} |
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Do You Know Green America? |
{120} |
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Emeril's Recipes |
{496} |
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Quiz: Are You An Eco-Friendly Eater? |
{341} |
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Battleground Earth Game |
{273} |
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Ask Steve Thomas Anything (About Your Home) |
{118} |
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Ask Emeril Your Green Cooking Questions |
{121} |
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Emeril Green FAQ |
{85} |
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5 Ways to Green Your Haircut |
{39} |
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7 Great Weekend Solar Power Projects |
{56} |
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