Leslie Proctor considers herself "granola," or a person who is environmentally and socially aware.
And to put her beliefs into practice, the Holladay entrepreneur recently turned her love of the Earth into an eco-friendly consulting business called Green Irene.
Proctor is making her services available at a time when many Americans are aware and concerned about the state of the U.S. economy and global warning.
Proctor said the goal of her local franchise, which is based in New York City, is to save businesses and homeowners money while protecting the environment.
"It can literally [save] thousands and thousands of dollars and it keeps the Earth a lot cleaner too," she said.
Proctor's "green home makeover" walk through takes about two hours and tackles energy and water conservation, indoor air quality, energy efficient lighting, recycling, waste reduction and emergency preparedness.
She said most of the home upgrades she suggests are simple, affordable and should save money.
"People don't need to change their whole lives," Proctor said.
Brittany Bellows, one of Proctor's first clients, said she is excited about the energy- and money-saving ideas she began implementing in April.
She recently purchased a power strip that, with the flick of a switch, can cut power to the electronic items plugged into it. Many televisions, coffee makers and other electronics sap small amounts of power even if they are turned off but are still plugged in, Proctor said. Bellows hopes her power strip will save that energy and its cost.
Bellows, who was already "green," before her "makeover" was surprised at "things like that that we hadn't even thought about," she said.
Next, Bellows plans to buy inexpensive insulation strips to put around her home's outside wall sockets to help keep energy from escaping.
"[Proctor] had so many cool things," she said. "None of it was hard stuff."
Proctor's business has slowly picked up since March. She has helped 10 households and two businesses become greener.
"I've been having fun with it," she said.
Proctor said anybody can save money and energy by switching from candescent light bulbs to fluorescent ones. They cost more up front but eventually pay for themselves and save money in the long run.
Also, setting your refrigerator's thermostat properly and changing to a low-flow shower head are other options.
"Be aware of the energy vampires you have in your house," she said.
