While you may not be ready to give up all your modern conveniences, going green should be a goal for anyone. The reality is that not only this is the responsible thing to do, but it also will save you money. Saving money is something anyone can get behind regardless of their views on the environmental movement. Read on to learn simple tips for adding a touch of green to your home.
Make sure that you are using energy efficient light bulbs. You may have avoided them in past since they are more expensive. While you have to pay more up front, rest assured they will end up saving you money. This is because they use about a fifth of the energy to produce the same amount of light. Start with the lights that you use the most, and then replace the rest as they burn out. This will keep you from having to spend so much money up front.
Don’t hesitate to replace your older appliances. While the old ones may still work, newer appliances will use less energy and often do a better job. Any appliance over five years old is a candidate for replacement. Start with the oldest appliances to maximize your benefit. You can then use the savings to replace the next set. Check with your community or energy company. Many have now started rewarding people for getting rid of their old appliances with energy efficient models. Check beofore you buy to make sure you qualify.
Replace all your toilets, shower heads, and faucets with more efficient versions. Older versions reduced the pressure along with the water flow, so people avoided them. You still may run into that problem if you try to buy the cheapest model without worrying about quality. However, a good low-flow faucet or toilet is now designed to keep the pressure even while consuming less water. That means that you won’t notice any difference until you get your water bill.
Invest in a programmable, and learn the best way to program your thermostat to be more energy efficient. Lowering the temperature just a few degrees in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer can save you a bundle on your energy bill. Setting it so that it allows your home to get cooler at night can not only save energy, you will sleep better as well.
Consider replacing your windows with energy efficient ones. Leaky windows can cause your nice, climate controlled air to find its way outside. If you’ve ever sat by a drafty window, you’ve felt these effects. Good replacement windows will reduce drafts, and the extra layers of glass will help the outside temperature stay outside.
As you’ve seen, going green really is pretty simple. All you need to do is become a savvy consumer – your habits can remain intact. These simple tips will greatly reduce your energy usage and save you money. Use these concepts to guide your future purchasing decisions to feel better about your contribution to the community.