How Can I Make My Home Greener?
To start making your home greener, make sure to pay attention to your utility bills. Pull up your last 12 months to see where you’ve wasted energy and water. An energy audit will identify waste and offer ways to reduce it. Switch to energy-efficient lightbulbs or insulate your heating pipes. You can even install solar panels to provide electricity for your home. Water conservation is an important issue for many homeowners, and it’s not just limited to conserving water.
Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs
Incandescent bulbs create light by first creating heat. 90% of their output is wasted as heat. This can lead to increased electricity consumption and more greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. Congress passed a law in 2007 that established national standards for light bulbs. It required new bulbs to use as little energy as possible, and phased out inefficient bulbs by 2020.
Insulating your heating ducts
Ductwork is an integral part of your heating and cooling system. If your ducts aren’t properly insulated, they can waste a large amount of energy and money. Uninsulated ductwork systems can add half-a-ton of cooling load to a house measuring 3,500 square feet. Insulating your ducts is a smart investment that will help you save money on your energy bills.
Installing solar panels
By installing solar panels in your home, you can reduce energy costs, protect against rising prices, and boost your property’s value. Many states offer tax credits to homeowners who install solar panels. You can take advantage of these credits while they’re available and start saving money from the moment you install your solar panels. Learn more about these incentives. Also, consider solar panel installation costs before deciding whether to install solar panels in your home.
Water conservation
Water conservation can help you save money and the environment. It is an important resource that is in short supply, and a leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water each day. Conserve water whenever possible to make your home more eco-friendly. You can reduce your water bill and also reduce your carbon footprint. Water-wise toilets save up to 60% of water compared to conventional toilets.
Recycling
There are many ways to make your home greener, from recycling to reducing your energy consumption. Recycling reduces pollution, saves natural resources and reduces energy consumption. These materials include glass, paper, metal, and plastic. Recycled aluminum is a valuable resource. Manufacturing processes that use recycled aluminum are 92% more efficient then those that use raw aluminum. 40% of aluminum can be recycled.