Here Are Some Ideas and Tips to Help With Your Energy Savings and Recycling Programs:
1. Use energy saving bulbs. Incandescent light bulbs throw off a lot of heat and power. Change to fluorescent or the new Energy Savings Bulbs. Add dimmers can help conserve more power and light bulb life.
2. Use low-flow faucet aerators for sinks and shower heads. This will save a considerable amount of water and money from your water bills.
3. Ceiling fans can help save on the cost of air conditioning by circulating the air quicker and more efficiently.
4. Reduce the temperature of your water heater. A high temperature is using more electricity.
5. Trees can help block out too much of the sun's heat if planted in the right places.
6. Make sure your home has enough or the proper insulation. This can save on your yearly energy costs.
7. Solar panels can cut your energy use bills and some states may give you a tax credit for having them installed.
8. Recycle when building or renovating: You don't have to always use new products when renovating. There are great used doors, flooring and other materials in shops nationwide.
9. When doing laundry you should avoid doing a bunch of small loads and wait (if possible) to do one larger one to cut back on water and electric usage.
10. Use low-flow toilets and save money on your water bill.
11. Consider an alcohol-burning fireplace and forget about the need for a flue and never have to fret about heat escaping up your chimney.
12. Weather strip windows instead of replacing them. It will cost a lot less than replacing them unless they are in really bad condition. But if you must replace consider energy efficient windows that are lined with special coatings that reflect heat and provide superior insulation, keeping your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Efficient windows save money on reduced heating and cooling bills and prevent the emission of greenhouse gases. Look for the Energy Star
13. Choose FSC Wood Products Much of the wood that we buy comes from unsustainable operations in endangered forests, including the Canadian Boreal, Cumberland Plateau, and the rainforests of Borneo. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the only credible international certified organization for sustainable harvested wood and wood products. Look for the FSC label. Consider bamboo products because it is fast growing and matures in 7 years. It also grows without fertilizers or pesticides and releases 35% of oxygen back into the air.
14. Use green cleaners and low-VOC paints. Many common household products, including paints, carpets and furniture, emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful to human health. When buying these products, look for those with a low VOC content.
15. Save rain water in a barrel for watering your potted plants of if you have a small garden.
16. Donate: Give your old kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanity to charity to be used again instead of adding to the trash piles.
17. Plant drought-tolerant plants instead of high water consuming grass to make your outdoors a different shade of green.
18. Compost. Use home recycling bins for kitchen food waste.
19. Use larger windows on the south side of a building for greater heat gain in the winter.
20. Use cellulose insulation because manufacturers add borate or borax to fire proof, insect proof and mold proof your home.
21. Engineered flooring is 1/4-inch thick hardwood laminated with plywood to create a stable floor that stretches our hardwood resources.
22. Don't add that worn tub to the trash piles...have it re-glazed. There is also a preformed cover that fits over your existing tub thereby eliminating the need for spraying on a new finish.
23. Maximize daylight in your home by adding skylights to dark rooms and saving on electricity.
24. Plants can act as natural air filters by removing any harmful chemicals as well as bringing the outdoors...indoors.
25. Buy locally if possible because products travel fewer miles and result in less vehicle air and global pollution.
If you have an "Go Green" idea that is not listed here please let us know. We will post the idea with your name! CONTACT US!
Today, high fuel prices have made us think about preserving the future with environmental issues. If not for us; then for our families and the generations to come. Home Design Sense believes in preserving our natural resources while saving money by using these easy energy savings tips. The energy and environment is important now and we must all do our part!
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