5 Ways To A Greener Home—Save Money and Have Less Guilt!

To be honest, I have never really been into the whole “green” movement. Don’t get me wrong, I am a bit of a conservationist at heart—I think it is the Eagle Scout in me. I try to keep the lights off when I leave a room, and I wear a sweater before I jack up the thermostat. I even have a compost heap in my yard. My problem has always been with the companies that are cashing in on our fear of environmental oblivion. I guess my cynicism has kept me from getting on the band wagon with all my energy.

That being said, I do think there is tremendous value in finding ways too be more conservation minded. With that in mind, and considering that it is Earth Day, I offer a list of 5 things that anyone of us can do to have a more Green home.

1. Program Your Thermostat.
   

I read recently that by turning the thermostat down 1 degree you can save as much as 30% on your monthly heating bill. If you are out of the house throughout the day, turn the heat down. Have your thermostat adjust the temperature when you are home.

2. Stop Air Gaps.
   

Buy a cheap can of Caulk and fill any cracks that allow air to pass through your walls. Check you doors, if there is a gap on the sides or the top you may have to re-hang your door, or consider buying new rubber strips to block any air flow. Check the damper of your fireplace—an open damper can increase your heating costs by as much as 8% per month.

3. Save Water.
   

If your toilets were installed before 1995 it is likely that they are using twice the necessary water. In addition, consider installing an aerator to your faucets to cut the water usage in half. For your landscaping, choose plants that require less water. Also, remember to water your lawn between the hours of 8:00pm and 8:00am. You will use less water, and loose less to evaporation.

4. Use Less Plastic.
   

Each year Americans throw away 100 Billion plastic bags—grocery bags, garbage bags, even sandwich bags. There is a simple solution: Use less plastic. Consider paper bags from the grocery store, and then re-use them as garbage bags. Consider using a sandwich bag more than once. Recycle your plastic. Stop buying bottled water and use your tap. Purchase a refillable water bottle.

5. Use Better Light Bulbs.
   

Florescent Lighting can use 33% less energy while lasting up to 10 times longer. That means you can save $30 over the life of that one bulb. Now think about that: Assume you have 16 light bulbs in your home—in stead of replacing the bulbs two times a year you can have a single bulb last 3 years, a savings of nearly $500.