|
Five Tips for a
Green Home
Eco-Friendly.
Carbon footprint. Global warming.
Energy-efficient. These catch phrases have become
part of our lexicon as we've become more aware of our
impact on the environment and our role in protecting it.
As a homeowner, there are some simple, inexpensive steps
you can take to make your home energy-efficient.
Get started on the road to being "green" with these five
tips:
Change Your Light Bulbs
By replacing
just five incandescent light bulbs with compact
fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, you can save $100 per year on
electricity bills while using up to 75 percent less
energy and removing greenhouse gases from the
environment.
Buy ENERGY STAR®
Appliances
ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, such as refrigerators,
clothes washers, freezers, dishwashers and air
conditioners, must meet and exceed minimum Canadian
Federal energy efficiency standards. According to
ENERGY STAR, if just one in 10 homes used ENERGY
STAR-qualified appliances, the impact could be compared
to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees. And,
switching to these appliances is not only good for the
environment, but easy on your pocketbook. Although these
appliances may cost slightly more, you can reduce your
energy bill by $80 per year.
Seal Up
Cracks and air leaks represent cash seeping from your
doors and windows. Get rid of air leaks in doors,
windows and other areas by caulking gaps and cracks.
This will help decrease your heating and air
conditioning bill. But make sure you use silicone
sealants. Acrylic caulk tends to shrink, while
silicone sealants are waterproof and won't shrink or
crack, creating less waste.
Use Less Water
Did you know that roughly 60 percent of a home's water
consumption takes place in the bathroom? The
largest culprit is the toilet, which accounts for 27
percent of your household supply every year. By
installing low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets,
you can save thousands of gallons of water each year.
In addition, replace leaky fixtures. That
slow-dripping faucet can waste as much as 2,400 gallons
of water per year.
Adjust the Thermostat
When adjusting your home's thermostat, the rule of thumb
should be: turn the dial up in the summer and down
in the winter. Lowering the temperature by just
one degree will reduce your electrical costs. If
you use a programmable thermostat, you can program your
air conditioning and heating systems to reduce output
while no one is at home or at night while you sleep.
Ceiling fans are also helpful in circulating the air to
keep the room cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Going green doesn't have to be overwhelming or costly.
By making just a few small changes within your home, you
can help decrease energy consumption and help make the
world a "greener" place.
Why is it best
to list your home with a Prudential Real Estate
Professional? Simply put, it's what we do!
Prudential On
The Harbour Real Estate Brokerage can be reached at
(705) 446-3066 or email at
info@ontheharbour.com
|
