Make Your Home Greener and Start Saving

Posted by Ben White on July 1, 2011 // 0 Comments

Looking for relief from summer cooling costs? I’ve come up with a few projects just in time for the summer heat! Whether you’re preparing to put your house on the market, or you want to make your house more environmentally-friendly, here are a few tips to make your house greener and more efficient.

There are suggestions to fit your varying time and budget constraints, from inexpensive projects that practically put money back in your pocket, to green ideas that help you invest in your home.

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent lamps (CFLs). These bulbs use 75% less energy than standard lighting and last nearly ten times longer than incandescents!

 

• Electronics and appliances use power when plugged in, even if they’re not turned on. Turn off lights and appliances when you leave a room, and unplug electronics when not in use.

 

• Install low-flow water fixtures on faucets and showers, and repair leaking pipes to reduce your water consumption.

 

• Install insulation to your walls and attic. Adding insulation helps slow down the rate of air flowing into, and out of your house. Effective insulation reduces your cooling costs in the summer and your heating costs in the winter.

 

• Take the time to inspect all window panes, storm windows and screens for cracks and/or tears, when swapping out your storm windows for screens, and screen doors. Properly seal the envelope of your home (windows, doors, etc.) with caulking and weather stripping.

 

• Install a high-efficiency water heater and turn the temperature setting down a few degrees. Add insulation to your hot water lines so they don’t cool off as quickly between uses.

 

• Have your furnace inspected or replaced with a high-efficiency HVAC unit! Change the furnace filter from winter heating season, especially if your home uses central air conditioning, or your heating system fan also circulates air in the summer.

Every little bit helps you conserve energy, and can reduce your heating and cooling costs. Take the time to make simple upgrades and improvements, and you’ll see the savings before you know it!

Category : Blog