Going Green

GOING GREEN!

Did you know that the typical U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills? Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to save energy and money at home. Start making small changes today.

Lighting:

Chances are you’ve heard quite a bit about methods for making your home green. Maybe you just don’t have time to replace all of your incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. Or perhaps, you’re not sold that buying new light bulbs will save you money. 

How does saving 50% off your annual lighting bill sound?

Energy Star reports replacing just one incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent saves $30 for the entire lifespan of that new bulb. Just five bulbs could save you 50% off your annual lighting bill. Not bad for a bulb that costs $2 to $5.

There are many economical energy-saving home repairs and improvements like this one. All these little jobs add up to huge savings. We know the importance of these home improvements, yet we also understand it’s just as important that you have time for your favorite activities and loved ones.

Plumbing:

Installing aerators in the faucets or replace the faucets altogether will reduce your water consumption. 

Make sure that the water is not running continuously in the toilet. Listen very quietly for the faint sound of running water. An alternative and probably a better way to determine whether water is escaping, is to place several drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. Wait 15 to 30 minutes and don’t flush the toilet. If the color appears in the water in the toilet bowl, you have a “leak.” Locate the leak and make the necessary repairs or have them made as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the leak, it is possible that up to 100 gallons of water could be wasted each day. It is also a good idea to look at your water meter.  If you know you have all of the water faucets off and the water meter is running you probably have a leak.

Consider installing a water-saving toilet. Some new models use very little water per flush. If you purchase a new toilet, consider a dual-flush model. The advantages of this type of toilet are: A relatively small amount of water can be released for flushing only liquid waste, and alarger amount can be released when solid waste is present.

Heating system:

Home owners should have their air filters changed on a regular basis.  There are several benefits of having your air filters changed on a regular basis. Heating and cooling your home makes up for a large portion of your electric bill and changing your filters on a regular basis makes your system run more efficient and lowers your energy bills. Indoor air can be more polluted than the air outside so changing filters can help you create a healthier living environment.

Visit http://www.energysavers.gov/ for more energy-saving ideas.