Going Green In Your Home by Cowlamity Jane
Hey folks did you know that your home is one of the places where you can make the most savings and also the make a good environmental impact. There are so many things that can be improved or changed in your home and these measures typically don't cost a great deal – sometimes nothing at all, and the savings gained can be considerable over time. Even if you are not in a position to invest in greener ways, you can still make a tremendous difference at little or no cost. We at Shagbark are here to help you in this and I am bringing you lots of great tips and ideas for Going Green.
A furnace not running efficiently will cost you hundreds of wasted dollars every year. Depending on your geographical area your furnace is the most expensive appliance in your house to run; in fact household heating accounts for 60% of the energy used in the average home. Proper maintenance up front will save you in the long run. Follow suggested manufacturer’s directions and change filters as directed on a regular basis. Check on filters that can be washed and reused, they may cost more but will pay for themselves in a few months. Properly caring for your furnace will save you several hundred dollars per year.
Going Green can happen one small step at a time and before you know it you have actually added dollars to your savings. Start by changing your light bulbs to the small flourescent ones this year as the others burn out. Add one or two packages when you shop to your order and you will have a supply when needed.
Here are some tips for Going Green and Saving Dollars with small steps that won't break your budget.
Household Energy Use
Wrap your hot water heater in a blanket.
Investing a small amount of money in a fiberglass blanket made to keep your hot water heater warmer will save you dollars. Especially in these New England winters. Not only will your water stay warmer but you will not be using as much energy to keep it that way. Remember many small steps can add up to great savings.
Insulate your hot water pipes.
Using some pipe jackets that are slit to allow them to form around your hot water pipes is another way to save hot water and energy. Using extra thick insulation on the pipes that enter the house and for two feet into the house will make a hugh difference. You won't have to worry about frozen pipes which can cost hundreds of dollars to repair or replace.
Turn down the temperature of your hot water heater.
Most houses have the hot water heater set much hotter than it needs to be. As a result you end up having to mix a lot of cold water in to get it to a temperature that is useable. Make sure your hot water heater is set no higher than 140F. That is hot enough to kill germs but not so hot that it is a huge waste of energy.
