Small changes and renovations to your home add up to long-term benefits for the health of the planet, and they can help save you a bundle on your electric bill. The US alone uses over 100 quadrillion BTUs per year, but energy efficiency tax incentives are now available to cover up to $1500 for upgrades to an existing home. From redoing your insulation to upgrading your a/c system, simple home improvements are now easy and affordable.
Thinking big?
Homeowners can score major tax breaks for upgrades to renewable energy alternatives, such as geothermal heat pumps, small wind systems and solar panelling, but make sure your property is protected before investing. Affordable and cheap home insurance will bring you peace of mind as you build a brighter future for your planet and your home. Read on to learn about five ways to green your household for good:
Buy Efficiently
It’s never been easier to protect the environment by purchasing products and appliances with superior energy efficiency. As you shop for that new fridge, remember to look for the Energy Star label. Products with this logo have met energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. In 2009 alone, this program helped Americans save almost $17 billion on their utility bills while also avoiding greenhouse emissions on par with what 30 million cars might produce. Look for the star! If you don’t see it, don’t buy it.
Stay Cozy
Heating and cooling amounts to roughly 70 percent of your home’s total energy usage, so it pays to make sure your house is properly insulated. Better insulation, especially around doors and window areas, saves heat from escaping in winter and keeps it outside in the summer months, making your entire home more energy efficient. The type of insulation you choose will depend on many factors, including your home’s design and the climate you live in. The best-rated insulations generally have the highest “r-value,” a measurement of how well the insulation resists the transfer of heat. Consult a professional to make sure that it meets green health standards for improved air quality.
Use Less Water
Over one billion people around the world live without access to clean drinking water, while in the United States each person uses an average of 80-100 gallons per day. Isn’t it time you lower your water bill by using less? To start with, skip top-load washing machines and opt for front-load washers, which save up to 40 percent more water by some estimates. Next, consider installing low-flow showerheads and make sure your dishwasher is full before running it. Remodelling for good? Consider purchasing a dual flush toilet, which can save you as much as 6,000 gallons of water per year.
Get Off the grid
If you’ve ever fantasized about living utility free, clean renewable energy systems can now make that dream a reality. Since the average cost per month for running a central air conditioner alone is $97.92, perhaps it’s time to consider investing in that geothermal heating and cooling system. Residential heat pumps typically cost around $1,000-3,000 per kilowatt, and solar water heaters are available for around $7,000. How does free hot water sound to you? What about saving 50 percent on your energy bills with easy-to-install solar panelling? No matter which you choose, you’ll recover all your initial expenses with just a few years of installation.
Go Retro
Forget high-priced furniture made from endangered teakwood and instead head right to the local thrift store for sustainable design solutions that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. After all, what could be more earth-friendly than putting vintage pieces to good use when they would otherwise wind up as landfill? Stores like Goodwill and The Salvation Army are perfect hunting grounds for that fanciful armoire you’ve always dreamed of owning or that mammoth stand you absolutely must have for your brand new flat screen TV. Spend a day exploring local vintage outlets and you never know what gems you might unearth!
