7 Tips for making your home more eco-friendly
Would you consider yourself eco-friendly? Sure, most of us are pretty good about picking up trash we see outside, turning off lights when not in use, and occasionally even remembering to turn off our computers/monitors when we leave the office for the weekend. But, are we really doing all we can to be green conscious at home?
Below are seven tips to help with energy consumption, recycling, and preserving our world for future generations. Hey, you might even save a little cash along the way!
1. Buy Energy Star Rated Appliances and Equipment. With nearly 70% of our home energy being used for appliances, cooling, refrigeration, and space/water heating you can save over 30% of your annual energy costs by upgrading to Energy Star approved devices.
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat. This is a relatively inexpensive way to cut costs and save energy without sacrificing comfort. It is especially handy when you want the home heated or cooled at specific times of the day or night or when you are looking to conserve energy when no one is home or during sleep time.
3. Conserve Water. Cut time spent in the shower by 50% which provides our local watersheds a much needed pollution break. Other ways to protect this natural resource are by installing low-flow faucet aerators and shower heads, fixing drips and leaks, adding a recirculation system to your water heater, and insulating all water pipes.
4. Insulate. Improving the energy efficiency of a home starts here. Add insulation to the attic, crawl space, or wherever air can escape. Caulk around all lights, vents, and exposed piping and replace worn weather-stripping. A little preventive maintenance and you will stay cooler in the summer and warmer during the cold season.
5. Use Compact fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFL). They last much longer than fluorescent and incandescent bulbs, use significantly less energy, are Mercury free, and are an easy way to help reduce greenhouse emissions.
6. Upgrading Windows. This can get expensive, but the long-term effects of cooling and heating costs as well as a reduction in condensation are worth the investment. There are several varieties, so be sure to do your homework before buying.
7. Recycle Used Products. The benefits are obvious. Less landfills, conserves natural resources, decreases green house effects, and saving energy. Make recycling a part of your families’ daily routine and teach your kids that respecting and protecting our planet is actually pretty cool.
Making our homes more eco-friendly does not have to be difficult, time consuming, or even too costly. Have a plan, get into a routine you are comfortable with, and live greener!
About the author: Anita Clark is a Realtor in Houston County GA, specializing in Warner Robins Real Estate.
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