Going “green” is becoming more popular as more and more people are starting to care about our environment. It’s about time right? Did you know that a home that uses less energy reduces the greenhouse gases? This is because less fossil fuel is required to run the place. Energy and water savings means money in your pocket too!

Here are some tips for going “green”, along with more advanced methods as well.

Improve Energy Efficiency 

Easy: Replace incandescent bulbs with compact flourescent bulbs.  These bulbs produce the same amount of light and require 75 percent less energy, produce 75 less heat, and last up to 10 times longer!  Switching out the 5 most frequently used lights in your home can save as much as 3,000 kilowatts of energy a day.

Advanced: Switch to solar power. I know this sounds ridiculous but it is a solution. This clean energy source generates no air pollution and no noise. Panels installed today will produce energy for about 20 years with minimal maintenance. The federal government offers a tax credit of 30 percent of the installation cost, to a maximum of $2,000, for certain solar power features, and many states and municipalities offer additional incentives.

Reduce Drafts

Easy: Plug leaks. Caulk and add weather-stripping to windows and doors to stop heat and air conditioning losses. Use expanding foam to fill gaps, especially between the living space and unheated areas such as the attic and garage. Leaky air ducts can decrease energy efficiency by as much as 20 percent.

Advanced: Add insulation. Homes more than 10 years old probably have insufficient insulation, and even newer houses typically can use some improvement. Properly insulated houses not only use less energy, they also have better moisture control, meaning roofs and walls last longer.

Appliance Excesses

Easy: Unplug chargers, power adapters, and appliances when they’re not in use. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about 75 percent of the electricity used to power electronics such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances is consumed while the products are turned off.

Advanced: Switch out older appliances which include dish and clothes washers, refrigerators, lighting fixtures, televisions, room air conditioners, and even cordless phones with energy-saving models. Appliances with the government-rated Energy Star label use 25 percent to 75 percent less energy than unrated appliances.

Avoid Super-Hot Water

Easy: Lower your water heater temperature. The average tank style water heater uses about 5 percent less energy for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit you reduce the temperature, according to the Department of Energy. A lower temperature also slows mineral buildup and corrosion, which helps your water heater perform more efficiently over a longer time.

Advanced: Install tankless water heaters. These so-called “on-demand” heaters warm water only when required, reducing energy losses associated with maintaining water temperatures in a traditional storage tank. Tankless heaters range from $200 for an under-sink faucet unit to $1,500 for a high-capacity unit, but according to the Energy Department, they use 45 percent to 60 percent less energy than traditional heaters and last twice as long.

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