Taking care of the environment isn’t the only reason to be eco-friendly. By building your home into a greener space, you’ll not only be helping to ensure that the world is still a livable place for future generations, you’ll also be saving big bucks when it comes to long-term energy costs, probably increasing the value of your property in the meantime.
Quick Fixes
- Update Your Lights. Just because your home was built decades ago doesn’t mean you have to keep using the same bulbs from the 1970s. Consider making the switch to energy-saving fluorescent bulbs. Not only do they cost way less to operate, they last a lot longer, saving you plenty of money in the long run.
- Reseal Those Cracks. Cracks in windows and doors drive up heating and cooling costs every month. Check the edges around door and window frames to make sure the sealing isn’t warped or aged. If it is, replace it, and you’ll see the savings in no time.
- Save In The Shower. By now, people know that taking long, hot showers on a regular basis means a big utilities bill. However, if you can’t part with your shower time, install low flow showerheads, which are eco-friendlier and cut back water usage and heating costs.
- Use LED Motion Sensor Lights For Outdoor Lighting. The addition of a few motion sensor lights that only turn on when they’re needed is a great way to cut back on wasted energy.
- Start A Compost Pile. If you’ve got a big backyard and no one nearby that might be offended by its potential smells, a compost pile is a great way to reduce your waste. Instead of throwing out leftover food and other compostable items, you can use the compost to create rich soil for the next time you whip out your green thumb. However, if you live in an area with large predators like mountain lions or bears, have caution–a compost pile can attract animals to your property.
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- Keep Your Filters Clean. Making sure your air conditioning filters are clean and replacing them regularly will lower your cooling costs.
- Use Power Strips. Often purchased to solve the problem of not having enough outlets, power strips actually save energy. Even though something might be turned off, there’s a good chance that it’s still slowly leaking power, especially if it’s something that has an LED screen…and all that leakage adds up. Many power strips are designed to stop this waste. All you have to do is hit the master switch on the strip when something isn’t in use.
- Fix Those Drips. Leaky faucets and toilets are also leaking a considerable chunk of change, so make those repairs sooner rather than later.
- Do An Energy Audit. An energy audit will show you where you’re using energy and exactly how much you’re using. Utility companies often offer this service at little or no cost. You can also hire an auditor that’s been certified by a nonprofit called Residential Energy Services Network. It’ll be pricier, but you’ll get a list of tips and tricks tailored to your lifestyle that will help you save big long term.
Long Term Improvements
- Install Solar Panels. When it comes to big changes you can make, installing solar panels is easier than you probably think. Once you buy the panels, all you have to do is install them in a sunny spot, plug them in, and reap savings for years to come, while performing minimal regular maintenance. Consult a professional if you’re seriously consider this option. It’ll be more expensive than doing it yourself, but you’ll probably see better results. As another plus, many solar panels tend to hold their value, making the used market for this item a great thing to take advantage of if you’re looking to cut costs.
- Greenify Your Roof. When it comes to keeping your utilities bill down, your roof can either be your greatest asset or your worst enemy. If you’ve got poor insulation and black tiles, you can expect a lot of temperature transfer and, as a result, a lot of wasted energy. Consider replacing the black shingles on your roof with a more neutral color that doesn’t attract so much heat. While you’re at it, this is also a great time to make sure that your roof is properly insulated.
- Go High Tech. As more home appliances continue to go “smart,” it’s becoming easier and easier to monitor the efficiency of your home while on the road. Things like automated thermostats and smartphone-operated lights make it easy to save money on your bills even if you’re far from home or have a busy schedule.
- You Might Need More Fans. You house has two main types of fans, exhaust fans and ceiling fans. Exhaust fans are the kind that are connected to the grates in bathrooms. These can pulling excess humidity and heat out of the house. Ceiling fans will circulate air, making your air conditioning more efficient, and in the winter they’ll push hot air off of the ceiling and towards the people that need it. By improving the efficiency of each system, often by installing more of each fan or making sure they’re in the right place, there can be a real impact on your bill.
- Your Water Heater Needs Some Love, Too. By simply adding the proper insulation to your water heater, you can save 10-15% of your water heating costs. Don’t assume this has already been done prior to your purchase of a home.
- Live Life In A Little Shade. While it might not be feasible to plant dozens of trees around your house, adding a little tinting to your windows can have a similar effect. Not only does this help to keep heat from the sun out, it can also prevent damaging rays from hurting things inside your home, like carpet.
The Bottom Line
As you’re considering various “green” home improvements, it important to remember how much certain changes will save you in the long run, not what they’re costing you up front. If you’re planning on staying in the same house for many years, some of the more intensive eco-friendly changes suddenly start to seem more reasonable.
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