Green is the new black when it comes to eco-friendly homes. These days, more and more homeowners are looking for ways to make their homes more energy-efficient, environment-friendly and green, of course, all while saving some money in energy bills. Here are a few things you can do to make your home “greener”:
1. Invest in a programmable thermostat. Doing so can save you up to $180 in energy costs annually. Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and costs more energy dollars than any other system in your house. Experts say an approximate 43% of your utility bills go towards heating and cooling alone.
2. Replace your ordinary light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. They cos a bit more than regular light bulbs, but they are an excellent investment because they last much, much longer and generate far less heat than their incandescent counterparts, allowing them to produce almost four times more light per unit of energy. Studies say that if every household in the United States replaced just one light bulb with a CFL bulb, we could save enough energy to light nearly three million homes! If you do purchase CFL bulbs, remember that they use mercury and must be disposed of and recycled properly.
3. Consider installing solar panels to make use of natural energy.
4. Plant shade trees and/or shrubs along the west and southern exposures of your home. Properly shading your exposed windows and doors can dramatically reduce the heat and UV rays that penetrate your home, again saving you several dollars per year in heating costs.
If you are planning to buy a home, let The Incorvaia Team make the process as easy as possible for you. Call us at 440-879-7130 today!
