Given the current dire economic picture we thought we’d list a few ways folks can save some cash while making the planet a little greener.
- Replace those incandescent bulbs with energy efficient CFLs. The price of compact fluorescent bulbs has dropped (I just picked up a 7-pack of 60 watt CFL’s for about $8 at Lowes) and they can last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs and save you over $30 in electricity over the lifetime of the bulb.
- Manage the fuel consumption of your home by buying programmable thermostats that can be set to lower your heat when you’re not home or in rooms you’re not using on a schedule you control.
- TVs, computers and many appliances and gadgets sip power even when off (vampire power). Plug your home entertainment doodads and computer and peripherals into a power strip or Smart Power Strip that can shut them down when not in use. You’ll be surprised how much it will save you on your electric bill…and turn off those lights when you leave a room. Oh, if you’re upgrading those appliances get Energy Star rated items.
- Purchase larger containers of household cleansers (green ones of course) and things like liquid soap and re-use the individual dispensers. You’ll save money at the cash register and keep a bunch of plastic containers out of the landfill.
- Get an under-counter or faucet mounted water filtration system and stop buying bottled water. At over $1 per gallon a family of 4 can go through several gallons of bottled water per week. A home water filtration system will pay for itself in no time, and keep all those plastic bottles out of the landfill and your recycling bin.
- Drive that car green. Avoid quick acceleration, tail-gating and constant braking to save gas – and use that cruise control. You’ll be surprised how your mpg will increase if you drive a steady 65 or 70mph on the highway instead of your cop-dodging 80mph.
- Ride a bike or walk instead of using that gas guzzler. You’ll lose some inches off your personal equator while saving on gas and emissions.
- Use reusable kitchen towels, dishrags, cloth napkins and handkerchiefs. All those paper products cost you cash and destroy our forests.
- If you’ve got a yard, spare room or basement use it. Try putting up a clothes line and air drying those threads. Big appliances like washers and dryers add a big chunk to your electric bill. Most power companies have lower rates off-hours so do that wash while you’re watching the Colbert Report and John Stewart.
- Go DIY. Do it Yourself is always a money saver. Get a compost going to create your own rich soil for your garden. Get a rain barrel and save the water that runs-off your roof. Grow your own veggies. Use old blankets or shirts to create a “Memory Blanket.”
There are lots more ways to go green, reduce/reuse/recycle/upcycle and be sustainable. Chime in with your personal tips.
Related: previously on altCon -
Save Money, Save Water – Harvest Rainwater
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Great reminders!
If you are thinking about remodeling your home you can dramatically reduce the amount of materials that go to the land fill AND save money by using some or all of these tips.
Remodeling green can be understood as a matter of degrees, and the degrees will depend on your budget. To that end, here is an outline of the most popular kinds of green remodeling – from simple to extreme.
Remodeling Green – the fast and simple improvements anyone can make today.
- Switch to energy efficient light bulbs (like compact fluorescent)
- Add heat reflective films on all windows
- Install weather stripping on door and window frames
- Install low flow shower heads and faucets
- Adjust the float in the toilet tank to use less water
- Insulate the hot water distribution pipes in your home
- Install insulating/reflective window treatments/coverings
Remodeling Green – Improvements that can really make a difference without breaking the bank.
- New exterior doors and windows that provide better insulation
- Additional insulation in the walls, floors and ceiling
- Energy efficient appliances, water heater and furnace/air conditioner/heat pump
- Choose low flow faucets and toilets
- Add ceiling fans in rooms
- Plant trees to shade your home in hot weather
- Use only building materials that are certified from sustainable or rapidly-renewable sources
- Use only environmentally friendly paints, floor coverings, exterior siding and roofing materials
- Buy salvaged or recycled materials for your remodel or addition
Remodeling Green – Extreme improvements that make sense for many homes.
- Photovoltaic cells to generate electricity
- Solar water heating system
- Replace windows with triple-glazed UV reflective coated models
- Install a geothermal heating and cooling system
- Replace all appliances with the highest-rated energy efficient models
- Install a high-efficiency metal roof.
Many homeowners also ask about the impact of these improvements on the value of their home at resale. The fast and simple green improvements will have little impact on what a potential buyer is willing to pay for a home. The extreme green improvements will only appeal to specific buyers, so it’s a big gamble to assume a potential buyer will be interested in paying for these improvements.
Many of the green improvements that won’t break the bank, however, can also earn a healthy return on investment when you sell your home. The improvements that have the greatest impact on home value are these:
- New exterior doors and windows currently increases the value of the home by the same amount as the cost to buy and install them.
- Energy efficient appliances added as part of a kitchen remodel can also increase home value by the amount of the cost to purchase.
- Buying salvaged or recycled materials can reduce the cost of your remodel without reducing your home’s appreciation due to the remodel, making it a big winner for both the environment and your wallet.
- The other improvements listed will appeal to home buyers who have a real interest in a green home; but to other buyers, it will have no bearing on the price they will offer for the home.
If you are considering remodeling green, consider your remodeling budget, the changes that will have the greatest benefit for your family, and then consider the green improvements that will win the greatest return on investment. The website http://www.remodelormove.com and http://www.remodelestimates.com have more articles on remodeling green and online remodeling cost calculators
Then decide whether you want to do a simple green remodel or an extreme green project. Keep in mind, whatever you decide, that every one of these improvements will be environmentally friendly, energy or resource efficient, and will save you money and increase your comfort in the home.
Thanks a lot for the tips!
There are many useful tips of ways to save home energy and gas.
Check it out http://www.waystosaveenergy.net
Thanks.
If you are interested in seeing the Return on Investment for over 50 green home remodeling projects check out http://www.greenandsave.com