Reprint from the Progress Times - April 4, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

Easy ways to make your home 'Green'

 

Many believe the only way to have an earth-friendly home is to build a solar home or live in a green housing development. While both are wonderful options for those with the means to do so, don’t overlook the simple things you can do to make your home greener.

Going green does more than benefit the earth — it benefits your pocketbook by saving money on energy bills. Some of the following tips are inexpensive and easy, while others require an initial investment but pay for themselves in time.

• Since older models require significantly more energy to run, consider replacing your air conditioner or furnace if they are more than 10 years old. Before you buy, look for Energy Star-rated models which meet strict EPA and Department of Energy guidelines.

• Planting trees and shrubs to shield south and west-facing windows will keep your house cooler, require less air conditioning and lower electricity use.

• Reduce water consumption and lower the cost of heating water by repairing leaky fixtures and installing low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets.

• Make sure the walls and attic are well-insulated, adding more where needed.

• Prevent wasted heat or cooling by sealing leaky windows.

• Replace bulbs and lighting fixtures with energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs. These pay for themselves with the savings they provide.

• Recycling kitchen waste into garden compost is another great way to contribute to the health of the environment. It not only reduces the amount of garbage going into landfills, but makes for healthier plants, too.

Also, there is an increasing number of household products on the market, such as cleansers, that are environmentally-safe.

One of the most common items for home repairs is adhesives. In the past, many of them were toxic, with high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and non-recyclable packaging. However, more earth-friendly adhesives did not perform as well.

Some companies have developed adhesives that are earth-friendly without sacrificing the strength you need.

Earth-friendly adhesives aren’t limited to just green projects. Use them for all your repairs around the house.

Anyone can make a home ‘greener’ — it just takes a little time and effort. The rewards are well worth your investment.