phone
contact us today! (847) 357-0403

Go Green at Home

Spring is a great time to go “green” at home. Benefits to living in a green home include greater durability, lower energy costs and increased health for your family. Besides, green living can lead to green savings, too! SheKnows provides 52 ways to do simple things around your house, such as recycle, clean your refrigerator, and to use cloth napkins. All of these small things will make a huge difference in the end.

But where should you start if you want to make some major changes?

Simple Ways to Start

The US Green Building Council provides 9 ways to begin your Green journey.

Here are nine ways you can pitch in to make your residence more eco-friendly, while also saving money over time in energy and water bills.

  1. Install programmable thermostats. Turn off the AC/heat when no one’s home, or lower the temperature whenever people are sleeping. But you may forget. Get a thermostat that you can program and save money without thinking about it.
  1. Replace your light bulbs.Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) help save energy and decrease your electric bill. They also have a much longer life span than traditional bulbs.
  1. Prevent air leaks.Use weather stripping around your doors and caulk around windows. Preventing cold and warm air from escaping your home helps keep your HVAC system from having to constantly work.
  1. Pick energy-efficient appliances. Look for the Energy Star logo when you replace old appliances. Also, check with your electricity provider. Some provide rebates for replacing old energy hog appliances with more efficient ones.
  1. Reduce water use.
  1. Switch to green power. Choosing green power doesn’t mean you have to change your electricity provider. Instead, you simply opt to pay a premium on your electricity bill to cover the extra cost of purchasing clean, sustainable energy. Get more information from the U.S. Department of Energy.
  1. Explore solar energy. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy can help you find the right solar solutions for you.
  1. Use no- to low-VOC products. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, can cause headaches, nausea, and irritation to the respiratory system, skin and eyes, among other ailments. Find options of paints and cleaning products without these compounds.
  1. Choose composting. Cut your carbon footprint by composting food scraps, except meat, in a backyard composting bin or even a worm bin.

R.F. Wittmeyer

Contact Us Today