Whether it’s saving energy, conserving water, or recycling waste, more and more homeowners are incorporating environmentally friendly practices into their daily lives than ever before. Our Eco-Friendly Answers page provides a wealth of information on changes you can make to help the environment, save money, and live a healthier lifestyle. From saving energy with CFL light bulbs and programmable thermostats to the benefits of sustainable flooring and tubular skylights, you’ll find everything you need to know to reduce your impact on the environment while putting more green in your wallet at the same time.
Lowering Heating and Cooling Costs
The average homeowner spends over $2,000 a year on energy, almost half of which goes to heating and cooling the home. Reducing the demands on your HVAC system and making sure it performs at peak efficiency can result in big savings. Here are several ideas for lowering your energy costs.
Quick Green Tips
Green Home Features on the Rise
A recent survey conducted by the American Institute of Architects, indicates a decline in homeowner demand for lavish high-end amenities in kitchens and baths. This was accompanied by a growing interest in environmentally friendly features, such as sustainable flooring and water saving toilets. Designs and products that improve accessibility for the elderly, like no threshold showers and handheld showerheads, were on the rise as well.
The Freecycle Network™
Since its humble beginning in 2003, The Freecycle Network™ has grown into a worldwide grassroots recycling movement with over 4,000 groups and millions of members. The concept is simple: provide a way for those with items they no longer need to pass them on to those that do, rather than throwing them away. Membership and all items are free and include anything from computers and furniture to building materials and appliances. Listings and requests are posted online by each local group. Visit freecycle.org to find out how to join in your area.
Electricity Usage Monitor
If you’re curious how much power your television set uses even when it’s turned off, or whether your refrigerator should be replaced by a more efficient model, then the Kill A Watt EZ™ from P3 International is just the ticket. Simply plug it into any 110 volt wall outlet, key in the price you pay per kilowatt-hour, and plug the appliance (maximum 15 amps) into it. It not only displays how much the device costs to run, but the voltage and amps it draws as well.
