From aboutmyplanet.com, here are tips to reduce water use:

Consider cutting a little water use from your morning routine. Keeping a timer in your bathroom will remind you to wrap up and get out of the shower faster.

If a home renovation is in the cards, splurge on low-flow and water-efficient appliances — they’ll save you money in the long-run. A front-loading washing machine, for example, uses 40 percent to 60 percent less water than top-loading machines.

A new toilet can save you water, too, but if you can’t install a low-flow toilet, reduce the amount of water used by placing a jar or other closed container full of water into your toilet tank.

Install low-flow shower heads and sink spigots, which can be purchased at your local hardware store, or contact your water utility company to find out whether they distribute them for free.

When running the dishwasher, make sure it’s full to get the maximum use per drop. There’s no need to prerinse because most of today’s models can handle any kind of grime.

Check for — and hastily repair — leaky pipes and faucets. The tiniest leak has far greater effect than you’d think.

Don’t use your sinks and drains as trash cans, and dispose of oil and other toxic materials properly. Just one gallon of oil reaching the sewer can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water.

How to save on your ComEd bill
This month, ComEd send out a Smart Ideas pamphlet on central air-conditioning “cycling,” which helps save energy and money by cycling your air-conditioning compressor off and on. The fan stays on to circulate air.

There are two options:

50 percent, which runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, a maximum of 15 minutes every half-hour over no more than a six-hour period, earning a $5 credit per month June through September.

100 percent, which runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, one three-hour period during any day, earning a $10 credit per month (not recommended if someone is home most of the day or has a medical condition).

What’s in this for ComEd? The company says it can manage power demand better during peak periods.

To sign up for a switch installation, it says go to comed.com/accycling or call 888-806-2273. Though it takes up to six weeks for installation: Makes more sense for next year?

Get help with buying better, new appliances
If you live in Machesney Park, here’s more incentive to buy a new energy-efficient appliance under the Retrofit Home Program, now in its second year.

The program allows residents to get $700 toward an Energy Star-rated refrigerator, $2,500 for improvements to the home’s “envelope” — which refers to the walls, ceilings and floors — $425 for an efficient dishwasher and $400 for a window air conditioner.

Money is also available for other appliances.

For more information about income guidelines and how to get started, call the village at 815-877-5432.

Update your abode without going broke
Looking to update your living room? Revamp your old furniture to save money and cut down on waste.

Reupholster a chair: Professional jobs can cost hundreds of dollars, but you can do it for a fraction of the price. Pick up a how-to guide, like “Complete Step-by-Step Upholstery” by David Sowle and Ruth Dye. While the steps may seem involved, anyone can master this process with a bit of patience.

Slip a cover on your couch: A new slipcover is inexpensive and keeps perfectly serviceable sofas out of our landfills.

Store-bought versions start around $30 and come in a range of colors and fabrics. Many are machine-washable. Go greener by using organic cotton slipcovers, which are grown and harvested without harmful pesticides.

Give a side table a vivid hue: Most people have an uninspired wooden side table lurking somewhere around the house. Some sandpaper, elbow grease and a new coat of paint can transform a cast-off piece into a focal point.

Is a bright blue or racy red table not your style? A coat of black paint looks sophisticated, while a white wash can add shabby-chic flair.

The potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home may range from 5 percent to 30 percent a year. Tips from energysavers.gov:

* Check for indoor air leaks, such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling.

* Check to see whether air can flow through electrical outlets, switch plates, window frames, baseboards, weather stripping around doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches and wall- or window-mounted air conditioners.

* Look for gaps around pipes and wires, electrical outlets, foundation seals and mail slots.

* Check to see whether the caulking and weather stripping are applied properly, leaving no gaps or cracks, and are in good condition.

Unlike earlier plastic bubble skylights that faded and leaked, modern glass skylights are dependable and offer nearly endless options.

Low-E energy-efficient glass in modern, ENERGY STAR-qualified units is durable, reduces external noises and won’t discolor as did older plastic bubble skylights.

And skylights no longer just sit there. Light and heat gain or loss through skylights can be controlled. Electric venting models are available with remote control, blinds, shades, awnings, insect screening and automatic rain sensors. 

Aside from the aesthetic benefits of balanced natural light, there are health-related considerations:

* More daylight could help people with seasonal affective disorder, who experience depression, lower energy, increased appetite and a need for more sleep.

* More natural light equals better sight, especially for seniors.

* Some studies have shown that students perform better in environments lighted with natural rather than artificial light.

For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency, visit energystar.gov, and for independent agency information visit nfrc.org or efficientwindows.org.

Recycling doesn’t always mean giant blue bins that take up valuable space in your kitchen or garage. Here are some space-saving options that will help you become more eco-friendly:

* Under-counter cans: Install smaller bins that will slide out from under your kitchen counter.

* Stacking bins: Instead of taking up a whole corner of the room, stacking bins take up just a little vertical space. Some models feature angled lids with easy access to the opening.

* Use a can-crusher: Crushed aluminum cans take up a lot less room, which means you won’t have to empty your bin as often. 

— Register Star staff and wire reports