How to Save Money With a Green Home
Nowadays, everyone seems to be going green, and for good reason. Not only is it good for the environment, but having a green home can actually save you money. A lot of people assume that going green is expensive because there can be a larger upfront cost, but in reality, you can save money in the long run.
Considering a green home? Then be sure to check out our guide on saving money with a green home below.
Have a Home Energy Audit Done
Some people think they need to hire a professional home energy auditor in order to know just how green their homes really are. That’s not necessarily true. Most people can actually do a home energy audit all by themselves without paying a dime; and you’ll get similar results.
When doing the audit, you should be looking for any air leaks, problems with insulation and inefficient light bulbs. You should also be paying attention to how your appliances use energy. Older appliances use more energy than the energy-efficient ones today, which means your energy bill could be lower.
There’s no formula to tell how much money you’ll save overall, but making little changes can make an impact. For example, sealing windows can cut down 5 to 30 percent on an energy bill.
Try Out DIY Cleaning Products
It’s time to toss out those store-bought cleaning products. They have harsh chemicals that can get into the water supply, and you have all the ingredients you need at home.
Not only are they much cheaper, they also are better for the environment, you, and your wallet. And no, they won’t take you all day to make. Most of them can be made in a few minutes with ingredients you already have (vinegar, baking soda, water) and are multipurpose.
Green Up Your Lawn
Trees don’t just look nice in your yard, they also clean the air while providing shade for your home. Keeping your home out of direct sunlight can help lighten your cooling costs. The U.S. Department of Energy says just planting trees in strategic spots around your house can slash your cooling costs anywhere from 15 to 50 percent.
Other than saving on cooling costs, tree and other plants can also take up more space so you don’t have to use a lawn mower, and in some cases, they can even increase the value of your home.
Of course, trees can get somewhat expensive, so if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, you can get a membership with the Arbor Day Foundation. With just $10, you can get 10 trees, which can go anywhere in your yard.
Toss Out Bad Electronics
If you have an old TV lying around, don’t just throw it in the trash. Those parts can sit in landfills for generations, creating toxic waste and taking up valuable space.
Help the environment and rake in some extra cash by selling your old electronics to websites that actually want them. Gazelle will take your cellphones, tablets, and computers and will send you an Amazon gift card or PayPal deposit in return. All you have to do is find your item on their website, answer a few questions, and ship the item to them. BuyBackWorld works much the same way.
If selling isn’t an option, load up the car and take your belongings to a recycling center.
It’s not hard to help the environment and make your home greener. Try out some of these tips, and you’ll be greener all year round.