Making green improvements to your home is easier than ever. Now that the green movement is in full swing, there are a myriad of environmentally-friendly choices gracing the shelves of your local home improvement store. If you’re in the mood for a few projects, here are some easy ways that you can begin to green your home:
1.Replace Your Bulbs
Compact fluorescent bulbs use close to 75 percent less energy than their standard counterparts. In addition to being energy-effective, the bulbs also last about ten times longer than traditional incandescent ones. Overall, people who replace their standard lights with compact fluorescent realize a $60 savings over the lifetime of the bulb.
2.Buy a New Roof
Light colored roofs can help to lower the temperature in your attic by reflecting the sun’s rays. In contrast, dark colored roofs absorb the rays, heating your attic and your entire home. By re-roofing your home with light colored shingles or tiles, you can keep your home significantly cooler and cut down on your energy bills in the summer by decreasing your use of the air conditioner.
3.Use a Motion Detector
Most people install outdoor lighting as a means of providing security for their homes and families. Instead of flipping a switch and keeping your lights on all night long, install lights that operate with motion sensors. If you don’t like the look of this type of lighting, consider outdoor fixtures that operate on timers.
4.Install a Salt-Free Water Softener
Water softeners can pay you back in spades. Not only will your water feel cleaner and taste better, but you’ll reduce the wear and tear on your appliances that hard water can cause. No-salt alternatives are friendlier to the environment than traditional water softeners and are easy to find.
5.Cover Your Windows with Tint Film
Tinting your windows is a simple process that can reduce heat loss in the winter and keep your home cooler in the summer. Window tinting will also help prevent up to 99 percent of fade to your wall coverings and furniture. The necessary film can be found at most big box stores and is as easy to install as contact paper.
6.Trade in Your Air Conditioner for Fans
Energy Star ceiling fans save you in more ways than one: these fans are 50 percent more efficient than older ceiling fans and, when placed strategically, can negate the need for central air in the summer. Along with your new ceiling fans, consider installing ones in your windows and the attic to keep your home cool and comfy in the hot months ahead.
Home improvements can save you money and make your home more attractive to buyers, should you choose to sell it in the future. Green home improvements are both cost-effective and easy to accomplish. If you are considering renovating one room or several, look for the greenest options available.
Elmer Delgado is a freelance blogger, who writes about home repair. Committed to living a greener lifestyle, Elmer recommends checking out Harvey water softener to see how a water softener can help you protect both your home and the environment.
