I just love the idea of "going green." Living in the North West, we are especially environmentally conscious. I just read in the local newspaper's real estate section that there are some easy tips you can follow up make your home a little greener.

1. Use the dishwasher. It can save up to 5000 gallons of water per year. I bet if it is an energy efficient one, you can save on the electric bill too.

2. Clean the dust that piles up on the back of refrigerator coils on a regular basis.

3. Instead of using conventional household cleaners in the kitchen and bathroom, use vinegar and water. They don't contain nasty chemicals that are harmful to the environment.

4. Clean air-conditioners often. This increases efficiency, saving 350 lbs of carbon dioxide from escaping into the air per year.

5. Use candles made from soy or beeswax instead of paraffin, which emits sooty particles.