Purchase Energy Star Appliances

When purchasing new appliances for your kitchen, look for those with the Energy Star designation. These appliances can use as much as 40% less energy than their traditional counterparts. If you are already in the market for new appliances, why wouldn’t you buy those that are eco-friendly?

Replace Your Furnace

If your furnace is more than twenty years old, it is probably time to get a new one. Purchasing a new furnace is not cheap, but it will be more efficient, which means you will save on your gas bill. With the ever-increasing gas prices, it probably won’t take long for you to recoup the money you spend on a new furnace.

Switch Out Your Light Bulbs

By adding fluorescent bulbs to your lamps and ceiling lights, you can significantly cut down on the amount of energy you use to light your rooms. Although these bulbs tend to be a bit more expensive than traditional halogen bulbs, they last longer. Therefore, when you consider the energy you save as well as the longevity of the bulbs, you will save money in the end.

Check Your Roof

If your roof is in need of repair, making those repairs can help you save a significant amount of energy. In the wintertime, you will lose heat through your roof if it is in poor shape. Not only does this waste energy, it also ultimately causes more damage to your roof by thawing snow and causing it to melt and refreeze. Therefore, replacing your roof can help you save money in more than one way.

Kitchen appliances tend to hog up a great deal of energy. Therefore, in order to save on energy, consider replacing the appliances that are currently in your home. Be sure to look for those appliances that are marked with the Energy Star label, as these appliances are 10-50% more efficient than other appliances.

You can also save water by carefully selecting your appliances. Dishwashers with drawers, for example, tend to be a little more expensive than those without. At the same time, you can wash a small load with one drawer and save on the amount of water used. Faucets with aerators also help save on water because they inject air bubbles into the stream of water while still achieving the same pressure. Recirculation pumps are also helpful, as they keep the water hot and prevent the need to run the water until it gets hot.

Exploring Your Lighting Options

Although recessed lighting is attractive, they can make it more difficult to maintain the temperature in your home. As result, you may need to spend more on heating and air. In order to prevent this from happening, it is important to make certain the cans are airtight.

Regardless of the type of lights you install in your kitchen, look into using fluorescent bulbs or even LED lighting where appropriate. LED lighting is extremely efficient and long lasting. In addition, consider adding motion detectors to your lights. This way, they will automatically come on when you enter the room and will shut off after you have left.

Using Renewable Resources

When purchasing flooring, finishes, and countertops, look for those made with renewable natural resources or those made from recycled products. Engineered stone is a good option for countertops while linoleum is good for flooring. In addition, an increasing number of companies are offering eco-friendly paints, finishes, stains, wallpaper, and adhesives.

#1: Change Your Appliances

One of the easiest ways to make your home greener is to simply change your appliances. If you have any appliances that are more than ten years old, it is a good idea to replace them with a more energy efficient model. When shopping for new appliances, look for those that have the “Energy Star” logo in order to make sure they are truly eco-friendly. These appliances use anywhere from 10-50% less water and energy than those without the logo.

#2: Maintain Your Furnace and Turn Down the Temperature

Making sure the air filter on your furnace is clear is one simple way to save energy. You can also turn down your thermostat in order to save energy. In fact, for every degree you go below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, you will save about 3-5% on your heat energy. Conversely, keeping it set at 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer can save energy as well. If you have an older furnace, you might also want to consider buying a new one. Today’s furnaces are about 25% more efficient than the ones that were made in the 80s.

#3: Watch Water Wastes

A few simple changes in your appliances can save a significant amount of water. Putting an aerator on your faucets, for example, can reduce the amount of water you use each year by 50%. Installing a low-flow toilet will also save on water, as they use only 1.6 gallons per flush as compared to models made before 1994 that used 3.5 gallons per flush.

#4: Use Green Cleaning Products

There are a number of green cleaning products currently available on the market. Or, you can make your own non-toxic, environmentally-friendly cleaning products. With simple ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, borax, washing soda, and lemon juice, you would be amazed by the amount of cleaning you can get done.

#5: Replacing Bulbs

Turning off your lights when they aren’t in use is one easy way to save on energy, but you can save even more with the help of compact fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs use 66% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last 10 times longer.