Making Your Home Green

There are many things you can do to make the home you live in more sustainable. While most people, if given the choice, would opt for an energy efficient home, many are not sure what the term even means.We've carefully sifted through the myriad of ideas and outlined the most important, cost-effective things for you to do.

Lower Your Utility Bills

1. Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can be a huge energy saver. Replace some (or all) of your incandescent bulbs with fluorescents and enjoy reductions inheat production, energy use, and electric bills!
Savings: Changing five of the most frequently used light bulbs in your home can save you $100 per yearon electric bills!

2. Program Your Thermostat
When you are at home, keep the thermostat at 78°F orhigher in the summer and 62°F or lower in the winter. Programmable thermostats allow you to program the systems to reduce output when they are not needed(e.g., when no one is home during the day or in the evening when everyone is sleeping).Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees
Savings: Reduce your energy bill by $100 per year or more!

3. Plug Air Leaks
This simple step can go a long way toward keeping your home at the temperature you desire, saving money on heating and air conditioning bills and more. Common leaks occur around windows, doors, andother wall penetrations. Plugging those leaks with weather stripping and caulk can be a simple task for anyone!
Savings: Reduce your energy bill by $100 per year ormore!

4. Tune Up Your Heating and Cooling (HVAC) System
Have a checkup for your HVAC system every 2 yearsto make sure it is running efficiently. Be sure to clean the filter monthly during times of peak usage; a dirty filter can significantly reduce the efficiency of your HVAC.
Savings: Reduce your energy bill by $100 per year or more!

5. Choose ENERGY STAR® Appliances
ENERGY STAR® qualified products meet a high level of energy efficiency, which can translate into savings on electric bills. When considering the price of a newappliance, take into account not only the purchase price, but also the long-term savings associated with an energy-efficient appliance.
Savings: Reduce your energy bill by $50 per applianceper year or more!

6. Reduce Water Use

• Indoor: Use less water by adding aerators (availablefor a few dollars at your local home supply store) to your sink faucets and changing to lowflow showerheads.
• Outdoor: Incorporate native plants in your landscape plan and minimize high-maintenance landscaping such as turf grass to conserve water, while still maintaining a beautiful lawn.

Savings:Reduce your water bill by as much as $100 per year!

7. Switch to Green Power
Green Power is an optional utility service for customers who want to help expand the production and distribution of renewable energy technologies. With green power, you do not have to change your electricity provider. Instead, customers choose to pay a premium on their electricity bill to cover the extra cost of purchasing clean, sustainable energy. More info on green power can be found at: http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/markets/index.shtml.

Choose Green Products

8. Buy Local
Buying local produce reduces the amount of fossil fuels required for the transportation of products from other parts of the country or the world. It also reduces the amount of plastic and paper products consumed in the packaging of such far-traveling products. Buying local reduces consumption of valuable natural resources.

9. Use Low-VOC Products
Improve your indoor air quality by switching to products that don’t give off “volatile organic compounds”(VOCs). Some common low-VOC or no-VOC products include:

• Paint: A Low-VOC paint is available from most major paint brands.
• Cleaning products: Low-VOC cleaning alternatives are available for sale, or you can make your own VOC-free cleaning products using simple household materials like baking soda, vinegar and borax.

10. Use Wood Alternatives or FSC-certified Wood Products
The type of flooring and cabinetry materials you use can have a positive effect on your health and pocketbook while reducing your environmental impacts.

• Consider using environmentally preferable and rapidly renewable products such as linoleum, bamboo, recycled-content tile or non-VOC carpet.
• Choose wood products from sustainably managed forests, such as those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
• Use locally sourced products when possible toreduce carbon emissions associated with the transportation of those products.

11. Use Rapidly Renewable Flooring Materials
Now there are affordable, durable, and rich-looking flooring options made from grasses and trees that maturein roughly half of the time (or less!) than it takeshardwoods to reach market size. Bamboo, cork, and eucalyptus flooring products are a sustainable alternative to traditional hardwoods.

Green Your Yard

12. Plant Trees to Provide Shade and Wind Protection for Your House
This simple step can help you save money on heating and air conditioning bills while providing beautiful views around your home.

13. Use Native Plantings
Native plants have been growing and evolving in your area for thousands of years and, as a result, have adapted to the local soils and climate. As a result they are more likely to thrive with minimal care, unlike exotic plants. That can mean less need for water, fertilizer and pesticides. Additional info on green landscaping techniques can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/reg3esd1/garden/.

14. Use Nontoxic Gardening Techniques
Many gardeners over-apply or improperly apply pesticides, putting themselves, their families, and pets at increased health risk. Nearly half of all households have pesticides stored within reach of children. About 230,000 people each year are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries relating to various lawnand garden tools. Our clean air and drinking water are affected by pesticides and garden equipment emissions.

Green Your Transportation

15. Carpool, Use Public Transportation, Walk or Bike When Possible
Environmental responsibility does not begin and endat your doorstep; green transportation means can greatly reduce your energy expenditures and carbon emissions from your daily routine.

16. Buy a High-efficiency Car.
See the U.S. Department of Energy’s list of most fuel efficient cars at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bestworst.shtml.