Kermit the Frog said it's not easy being green. But when it comes to living green, you don't need to spend thousands of dollars or a lot of hours to be environmentally friendly.

Here are some simple ways to lessen your impact on the environment cheaply, easily and effectively.

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Change Light Bulbs

Change just five or more of the most frequently used light bulbs in your home to compact fluorescent light bulbs, also called CFLs. If every household in the U.S. took this step, the Environmental Protection Agency reports, 1 trillion pounds of emissions would not be released.

Turn It Off

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that electronics can compose up to 20 percent of your energy bill. Plug computers, televisions and other electronics into power strips and turn the strip off when you aren't using them. Power adaptors and other devices still drain energy, even if they are not in use.

Idling computers also drain energy. Make sure the power-saving features on your computer are turned on. When you don't need your computer, turn it off.

Recycle

Putting plastics and cans in a paper bag and recycling them is not a big step for most homes, but it will certainly help the environment.

It cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions because valuable materials like plastic get reused in the process, and it also dramatically cuts down on waste in landfills.

According to the EPA, trucks transporting your trash to the dump are a major source of carbon dioxide emissions into the air. Further, decomposing trash in landfills produces a chemical called methane, known to be much more potent and damaging to the environment than CO2.

Save Gas

Cutting down on your gas consumption is not only economical, but it also helps keep the air cleaner.

Check to make sure your tires are fully inflated. According the U.S. Department of Energy, this will save at least 3.3 percent at the pump. Remove any roof racks or other drag-causing attachments on your car; they can decrease mileage by about 5 percent.

Most importantly, drive responsibly. According to the EPA, quickly accelerating and braking -- and driving above the speed limit -- wastes a lot of gasoline.

Adjust Thermostats

It's always tempting to crank down the thermostat on the first hot summer day or turn it up when the October chill rolls in. But don't touch that dial just yet -- raising or lowering the temperature of your thermostat by just 10 degrees in summer or winter, according to a Consumer Reports study, can save you up to 20 percent on your energy bill.

In the summer, supplement with fans. They use far less energy than air conditioners.

For the winter months, put a fire in that oft-ignored hearth. You'll heat the house and use less energy.

Buy Green Power

You don't need to install solar panels or build a wind turbine in your back yard to use less energy in your home. Many sites, including CarbonFootprint.com, offer tools to help you calculate your energy use.

Then, you can offset your environmental impact by purchasing green power, usually solar- or wind-generated.

Check EPA.gov for a list of companies near you. Other Links:

Environmentally Smart Moves

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