As the prices of utilities increase and society shifts its focus toward saving the environment, updating your home to reflect the principles of “going green” is a smart choice. Here are some ways that you can make your home more efficient and friendlier to the environment.
1. Make the switch to compact fluorescent bulbs. Available at any hardware, discount or home improvement store, these lights feature a twisted or helical tube design that allows them to fit within standard fixtures. Unlike traditional incandescent bulbs, CFLs sip electricity, reducing your home’s power consumption. They also have far longer lifespans than incandescent bulbs; many will last for years rather than months.
2. Use motion detectors to activate lights outdoors. Floodlights and security lights can use a significant amount of energy unnecessarily, and they can shine into your or your neighbors windows at night. By installing motion detectors, however, your lights will kick on only if something–or someone–is nearby. This not only reduces your power consumption, but it alerts you to the presence of animals or intruders more readily.
3. Use foam gaskets behind electrical outlets and light switches on exterior walls. A surprising amount of cold air can sneak in around these holes, making your furnace or other heating system work harder. Foam gaskets are an inexpensive way to fix these drafts; as an added bonus, they reduce the likelihood of insects and other pests sneaking in, too.
4. Use weather-stripping and caulk around doors and windows. The small gaps around your home’s doors and windows are another major source of drafts and air leakage. Weather stripping is available in a wide range of widths, shapes and materials, allowing you to select the type that best fits the spaces you need to seal. Caulk is a great solution for sealing around the exterior of your windows, but make sure that you choose a variety that is intended for outdoor use.
5. When you replace your roof, stay away from very dark colors. A pitch-black roof absorbs a shocking amount of heat, keeping your home warmer during the summer. Lighter-colored roofs absorb much less heat, keeping your home at a more comfortable temperature.
6. Place food waste in a composter for use around veggies or flowers. Most home improvement stores carry composting barrels or bins, which you can fill with lawn clippings, leaves and kitchen waste such as eggshells, coffee grounds and vegetable peels. Once the compost is turned and decomposed, you are left with a rich, dark, soil-like substance that contains loads of nutrients, making it the perfect fertilizer for plants in your landscaping or gardens.
7. Fix dripping faucets or running toilets. Even if you don’t live in an area with strict rules regarding water consumption, there is no reason to use more than you need. A leaking faucet or a toilet that runs constantly can use hundreds of extra gallons each month. Repair or replace these faulty fixtures to save water.
By implementing these green ideas into your home improvement plans, you can do your part to help the environment and conserve energy. Not only will the environment benefit from your efforts, but so will your wallet.
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