Go Green

Want to save some green? Turn your home into a mean green saving machine. Here are several simple, cost-effective ideas that can help you go green and save you money. Just a small investment in these items can pay big dividends for you and our planet in the long run.

• Sealing cooling and heating ducts. Using duct wrap or mastic sealant can save you up to 25% on your energy bill.
  
  
• Fix plumbing leaks. A single drippy faucet can waste as much as 212 gallons of water a month.
  
  
• Insulate your hot water heater. Doing so can cut your home's CO2 emissions and save you around 4% to 9% in water heating costs. You also reduce standby heat costs by 25%-45%. To see if you need to insulate, touch your heater. If it's warm to the touch, it needs additional insulation.
  
  
• Replace shower heads with low-flow heads and replace faucets or just the aerators. Low-flow shower heads can save you between 10% and 16% of water heating costs and reduce your water usage by 20,000 gallons per year.
  
  
• Install low flow or multi-flow toilets. This can save you 3.5 gallons per flush.
  
  
• Install ceiling fans. This will cut air conditioning costs by 40% in summer. Alternatively, in the winter, these ceiling fans work to circulate warm air from the ceiling back down to the floor to save heating cost.
  
  
• Plug overlooked energy leaks around the house! Use low VOC caulk and foam strips around windows and door frames that leak air. Add door sweeps and door shoe gaskets. A 1/8" space around your door is like having softball size hole in your wall. Imagine one of these for every door in the house! Did you also know that your light switches can be an overlooked source of air leaks? Hold a wet hand in front of a light switch plate or outlet, if you feel air, you have a leak. Installing foam gaskets behind all the light switches and outlets can stop these energy leaks.
  
  
• Insulate. For maximum energy efficiency, your home should be properly insulated from the roof down to its foundations.
  
  
• Install a hot water heater timer. If you have an electric water heater, you can turn hot water off at night and on again in the morning saving money.
  
  
• Replace your light bulbs. Energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs last 8 to 12 times longer than incandescent. Just one bulb alone can save at least $30 in electric bills over its lifespan and reduce greenhouse emissions from power plants. Just 5 bulbs could save you 50% of your annual lighting bill.
  
  
• Replace old windows. Installing new high performance dual pane windows with low-e coatings or self-adhesive reflective film on windows, you can save on your heating costs.
  
  
• Insulating your hot water pipes. Not only does this raise the temperature with a lower water temperature setting, you also conserve water since you don't have to wait as long for warm water when you turn on a faucet or a shower! You also can install a hot water recirculation pump and get almost instant hot water every time you take a shower.
  
  
• Install outdoor solar lighting. It's easy to install and virtually maintenance free. Best of all, it provides free electricity.
  
  
• Install shades, drapes, awnings or sunscreens. Blocking light on hot sunny days will keep your cooling costs down. In cold months, closing drapes can retain warm air making it less expensive to heat your home.
  
  
• Add lighting controls and timers. Adding motion detectors outside can increase security and decrease energy expenditure. Timers can be set to turn lights off and on at predetermined times. This is an easy energy saver.
  
  
• Reuse, Recycle and SAVE. Not only can you go green, but you can also donate your perfectly good cabinets, sinks and other appliances to a Habitat for Humanity Reuse store. You can get a tax write-off and help someone else in need and save room in the landfills - this is a win-win situation for everyone.
  
  

Implementing some or all of these ideas, you can earn your money back and more that you spent making these upgrades to your home!

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, households can save 20%-30% on energy bills by implementing these improvements. Call or Contact Us today at 614-581-2400 to get started.

Provided by U.S. Dept of Energy

« Return