How To Make Your Home "Green" Without Breaking The Bank

When the topic of making a home "green" comes to mind, most people think of the concept as an extraordinary measure that will result in a huge initial expense. While it is true that major changes to make a home more environmentally friendly can be quite costly, there are dozens of minor adjustments that a homeowner can make to not only become more eco-friendly, but actually save money on utility bills with little initial expense. As little as a $200 commitment to making a home more environmentally efficient can produce savings of well over $1,000 annually. Most of the changes are simple and many can be performed by the home owner themselves, and the savings will compound year after year over the lifetime of the home.

One of the easiest ways to be a "green" homeowner is to purchase Energy Star appliances. They cost the same as those that use more resources, but Energy Star rated appliances use 10 to 30 percent less energy. Compared to regular light bulbs, compact fluorescent light bulbs save on average roughly $20 each per year on electricity bills. A measure as simple as planting a shade tree can reduce energy consumption in a home considerably, make the landscape more attractive, and become a home to wildlife. Turning of electrical appliances when not in use will reduce the necessity for energy consumption, especially in large homes with children who may not always turn these items off when finished using them.

Installing thermostats that can be programmed is an excellent way to reduce energy consumption, and thusly reduce the carbon footprint of the individuals residing in the home. By utilizing these, you can lower the heating or cooling needs when there is no one home, and thereby reduce electricity and natural gas usage. Low-flow shower heads and faucets reduce water consumption and are very simple to install, and an outside rain barrel to use in watering plantings saves valuable resources as well. Ensuring that heating and air conditioning units are well maintained enables them to operate more efficiently, and and use much less energy in the long-run. A measure as simple as installing an insulation jacket around a hot water heater can save up to $100 a year in energy costs dependent upon usage. The most basic measure of all to help make a home "green" is to check to make certain your home is adequately insulated.

By utilizing these small measures, a homeowner can possibly save enough money on energy costs that after a few years they can attempt large projects paid for in advance.