Families across the country have been doing their part over the past few years to reduce their environmental impact while helping promote household sustainability by “going green”. Some are still skeptical however, that the cost saving or eco-friendly benefits of these changes will not outweigh their price tag. But with all the modern innovations seen on the market recently, you no longer need to search for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow to make your home more ‘green’. In fact, a few simple home improvement projects around the house can end up saving you lots of gold down the road with significant savings in costly utility and household expenses.
Light Bulbs
One of the easiest DIY home improvement projects that help to get your home greener is switching out the incandescent bulbs around your home in favor of compact fluorescent or LED bulbs. The latest in eco-friendly light bulbs help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, use less energy, produce less heat, and last significantly longer without costing much more than any standard bulb.
AC/Heating
Having central air in your home is a great commodity during those hot summer months, but it’s also no surprise that having this amenity means more expensive energy bills. One easy thing you can do to reduce the energy consumption of these systems is through the monthly replacement of its air filters. You may also want to consider replacing your old heating/cooling system with an Energy Star qualified system. Doing this can save you roughly $200 a year on your energy bill.
Automation
Once you’ve switched out your costly bulbs for energy efficient alternatives, the next step is automation. Leaving lights on around the house not only wastes energy but adds up in your utility bill over time. Adding sensors to light fixtures can allow them to automatically turn off when a room is left empty for an extended period of time. Similarly, adding timers can ensure lights stay on when you need them, like when you’re returning home from work at night, and stay off when you don’t need them to conserve energy and resources when you’re away.
Cleaning Products
Most standard household cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that are dangerous to the environment. Skip the trip to the store and save on cleaning costs by looking in the cupboard for commonly found cleaning alternatives that work just as effectively – hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and vinegar to name a few.
Bathroom Appliances
Updating common water appliances can help you reduce household water waste significantly. Something as simple as having a leaky faucet repaired can save you a couple of dollars off your monthly water bill. Additionally, by installing low-flow shower heads and low-flow toilets you can save an extra 25-60% off your overall water expenses. These are some great bathroom and kitchen repair projects that are not only inexpensive, but will save gallons of water each day.
Cups & Bottles
Now is the time to ditch the wasteful paper and plastic products around your house. Paper towels can easily be replaced with longer lasting, lint-free microfiber towels, or even cut up cloth towels or tees. While coated coffee cups, which are notoriously hard to compost or biodegrade, can be replaced with a reusable coffee mug or travel container. The harmful environmental effects of plastic water bottles also add up over time, so consider saving yourself a trip to the grocery store by investing in a home water filter and/or a reusable water mug.
You don’t need the luck of the Irish to live in the eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable home you’ve always dreamed of. Quit searching for four-leaf clovers to give you the motivation you need, as these simple and easy home improvement steps can help accelerate your home and your lifestyle to the 21st century. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style by making your home greener this spring – reducing costly energy expenses, increasing your home’s resale valuable and doing your part to help save the environment. A win-win situation that makes it the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow you’ve been searching for.
