Five Green Upgrades for Your Home

by Lisa Meadows on May 3, 2009

Upgrade your thermostat

Programmable thermostats are one of the simplest and cheapest strategies to save cash. Have one installed and program it to cool down or warm the house thirty to sixty minutes before the 1st member of the family wakes up. In the day, set the unit seven or eight degrees higher or lower than you usually do and have it set to heat / warm the house right before you get home.

Examine for leaks.

Check for windows and air duct leaks periodically thru which cold air can escape. Leaks force your air conditioner or heater to work harder which translates into higher energy costs. Having your house properly insulated means you are able to save as much as ten percent on your power bills.

Unplug appliances.

Did you know any appliance that is plugged in is using energy even if the appliance is turned off? Appliances that also have clocks are an additional drain. Standby lights, like those on your TV, are also draining energy, so unplug as many appliances as you can when not in use.

Upgrade your light bulbs.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs require 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. While compact fluorescents do cost more up front, they savings they provide long term are worth the initial expense. Youll also be saving time and creating less waste by changing your light bulbs less frequently.

Shop wisely ” shop green.

Look for the Energy Star label when shopping for new appliances. Energy Star is a joint program between the US EPA and Department of Energy that identifies and labels energy-efficient appliances. Currently appliances in 44 products categories have been identified and labeled.

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