Green Home Improvements
Ways Your Home Can Be More Sustainable Without Breaking the Bank
Install LED Light Bulbs: LED lights last longer and use less energy to illuminate than incandescent bulbs. According to energy.gov, energy efficient light bulbs use between 25% and 80% less energy than traditional bulbs and can last upwards of 25x longer. When compared with traditional 60-watt bulbs, each 12-watt LED bulb will save about $3.80 per year.
2. Invest in High-Efficient Showers and Toilets:
Appliances like showers and toilets take a significant portion of a home's annual water usage. Changing over to high-efficiency can reduce water use by thousands of gallons each year. Look for Low-Flow rated shower heads and a 1-GPF (Gallon Per Flush) toilet. One 1-GPF toilet can can reduce waste water by over 50%.
3. Avoid Air Leaks: There are several simple fixes to improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling. In doing so, you will reduce your bills and carbon pollution. Typically 20% of air lost is through cracks in your heating and cooling ducts.
• Caulking is a semi-liquid sealant that will essentially glue a hole or crack shut. It's a more flexible mortar and used to seal edges.
• Weather-stripping is a foam or bristle structure that you add to thresholds. The purpose is to reduce the amount of heat or cold that slips out under the door.
• A fireplace flue plug is a device that blocks the flue of the fireplace. When not in use, a fireplace is essentially a giant air vacuum that impacts a home's carefully managed temperature balance. The designs vary, but in all cases, it’s like a cork stopper for your fireplace.
4. Get a Programmable Thermostat: A programmable thermostat can save you around $180 per year in energy costs, according to the EPA. When you install one, programmable thermostats can help you save money on your energy bills. These thermostats let users set their heating and cooling around daily schedules and reduce the strain you put on your HVAC unit, prolonging its life.
5. Upgrade Windows and Doors: Windows are one of the places that a home loses and gains the most heat. Installing efficient, multiple pane, vacuum-sealed windows can reduce a home's energy bill by upwards of 24%!
6. Go Tankless: Tankless water heaters have a larger initial purchase and installation cost, averaging between $2,500 and $5,000, but they also offer a significant immediate return on your investment. A tankless water heater immediately cuts your energy bills by about 20%. By some government estimates, well-placed tankless water heaters can cut your bills by as much as 50%.
7. Up Your Curb Appeal:
Invest in native plants and alternative lawns. One of the least expensive ways to invest in your home and improve its resale value is to update landscaping. Both native plans and alternative lawns use less water because they’re used to the climate and have a natural resistance to local pests and diseases. For a list of native plants to use in your yard, read our blog on Secret Garden Landscapes and to find ways to get water saving rebates, read our blog on Dealing with Drought.