Greening Your Home

We all know we need to take action to preserve the environment and conserve energy and our natural resources. However, weaving that into your already too-full schedule can seem like a daunting task. The good news: Greening your home can be done easily through a series of simple activities. Best of all, many of those activities can save you money.

Review

Many utility companies will conduct a free or low-cost audit of your home to identify areas where you can save energy and, therefore, reduce your cost. If your utility company doesn’t offer an audit, conduct one yourself by following the tips at Energy Savers, a Web site from the U.S. Department of Energy that’s filled with energy-saving tips.

Regulate

Regulating the temperature of the air and water inside your home uses a lot of energy. Making sure your attic, basement and walls, as well as your water heater and pipes, are well insulated can save energy and money. Turn down the temperature of your thermostat and hot water heater to save even more. Use ceiling fans both winter and summer to circulate warm or cool air. Eliminate drafts from windows and doors by using weather stripping, available at most home improvement stores, by covering them with curtains or by using simple draft-stoppers you can purchase at home accessories stores.

Recycle

Cans, bottles, cardboard, newspapers, magazines, direct mail pieces, many types of plastic--the list of materials that can be recycled goes on and on. If your community doesn’t offer curbside recycling pick-up, scope out the nearest recycling center. Create a small area in your garage, shed or yard to create a mini-recycling center. Separate newspaper, cardboard, cans, bottles and the like according to your community center’s guidelines. In some communities, you may even get cash for certain cans and bottles. Check with your local recycling center, office superstore, or electronics manufacturers’ Web sites to find out where you can recycle items like batteries, mobile phones, old computers, printers and printer cartridges, and the like.

Repurpose

When it’s time to replace household items, place the old ones up for sale or giveaway on Craigslist.org or on one of Freecycle.org’s community lists. That way, your used items are going to someone who needs them instead of into the landfill. You can also donate items that are in reasonably good condition to organizations that help needy families, such as Goodwill Industries International, the Salvation Army or a local charity-based thrift shop. That way, you may get a tax deduction while helping someone in need. Get a receipt for the donation and check with your tax advisor to see what restrictions apply.

Replace

Swap out incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescent light bulbs, which last up to 10 times longer, saving about 75 percent of the electricity a traditional bulb would use, and putting about $30 per bulb back in your pocket each year. Check for bathroom leaks, which can waste up to 200 gallons of water a year. Replace regular showerheads with low-flow showerheads, which save up to 2 gallons of water a minute. Newer water-conserving toilets are a bigger investment, but can save more than 5 gallons a flush. When purchasing new appliances, look for the EnergyStar rating to determine the efficiency of the unit. These changes will shave money off of your utility bills, as well as conserve energy and water.

Reconsider

Instead of using cleaning products with harsh chemicals, read labels and opt for brands that are more environmentally friendly and nontoxic. When purchasing home improvements, choose materials that are recycled or produced in environmentally sound ways. Since so many consumers are demanding green options, there are green alternatives to almost everything.

Greening your home is simple and painless, and can yield substantial savings. You’ll also have the feel-good factor of knowing that you’ve done your part to preserve the environment around you.