Being green has become a popular term today. It cannot only help the environment, it can also save you money. Some people think that they will have to spend a lot of money to make their home more environmentally friendly. However, there are some relatively inexpensive, easy environmentally safe home improvement projects that almost anyone can do.
Making your home more green can involve some simple techniques. Using compact fluorescent lighting instead of incandescent lighting can save up to seventy percent on energy costs. They will also last at least ten times longer. An even more energy efficient lighting choice is LCD lights. However, they are a little more expensive, but the prices are gradually going down. Water usage is also a relatively easy problem to solve. Simply by using shower heads with low-pressure and toilets with low-flow can save a substantial amount of water. When heating water, tank less water heaters or solar hot water heaters can save water and energy.
Other easy measures to incorporate into your home is the use of ceiling fans. They help to cool in the summer, and can be adjusted to push heat away from the ceiling in winter. Using an automated thermostat can be energy saving. When you are not at home, reducing the temperature can save a lot of money. Using motion detector outdoor lights can easily save energy.
Simple things like using a power strip to plug in the computer will save energy. Color choices for your home will also affect your energy use. Using lighter colors on your roof helps decrease temperatures in the attic. Using brighter colors to paint walls will add brightness to the rooms, so less light is needed.
Keeping your home, doors, and windows sufficiently insulated will help save energy. Implementing solar panels is a great energy saver. To save even more money, consider buying and installing used ones which cost less, and have been shown to work just as well as ones bought new.
Larger projects that involve using wood products can also be environmentally friendly. Cedar, which is naturally insect resistant, can be an excellent choice over chemically treated lumber. Bamboo is another good choice. It is easily replenished in nature, and can be made into beautiful floors. Old wood recycled from torn down buildings can also be an excellent resource for wood. Older wood is often very visually attractive, and can add charm to your home. Materials fabricated from cork material are also friendly to the environment.
Deciding to use environmentally safe home improvement projects can benefit not only the environment, but you as well. Saving energy will result in more disposable income in your bank account.
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