Lemondrop

Greening your house or apartment may sound like a huge task, but we've uncovered some simple steps from Anna Getty, founder of PureStyle Living and author of "I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas."

1. Seal your windows to save energy. "You definitely want to make sure that all of your windows are properly sealed," says Getty. "Caulking can make a huge difference if there are holes in the window where a draft comes through."

She adds, "You also want to get some sunlight during the day. Open the curtains if there's sun [to warm up the room], and keep your thermostat between 66 and 68." Sealing your windows will also help your home stay cool and save on air-conditioning costs in the summer!

2. Switch to bamboo sheets and towels. As Getty points out, bamboo is a renewable resource and it's just as durable as cotton. "Pesticides have a life in the cotton indefinitely," she adds. "Cotton is a very heavily sprayed crop and, of course, it uses a ton of water. Nowadays, you can get organic cotton and bamboo for a really good price at places like Target."

3. Replace light bulbs gradually. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are more expensive, but they last a whole lot longer and reduce your energy consumption (which also reduces your monthly bill). Getty suggests replacing bulbs as they die out so you're not making a big financial investment all at once. "Some people don't like the light that comes off them," she continues, "but you can get different screens and lampshades to make it nicer. It's definitely worth it. One light bulb can last 10-25 years."

4. Fill up your fridge. "Having more stuff in the fridge helps save energy," explains Getty. She adds that if you have a cool area like a basement or garage, you could store extra food items there instead of using a second fridge.

Tell us! What steps have you taken to green your home? Anything you'd like to add?