The term “green living” means a lot of things.
Mainly, though, it’s about living in a way that’s friendly to the environment. When
you think about a green home, you may think of solar panels, wind turbines,
grey water recycling, and other expensive projects. An environmentally friendly
home doesn’t have to be expensive, however.
Homeowners that want to go green on a budget
have many different ways to do it. With some time and a little work, you can go
green in your home without spending a lot of cash.
You can get a big bang for your buck from
basic maintenance projects around your home that make your home more energy
efficient. Using less energy to heat and cool puts less strain on natural resources. Some of these projects include weather-stripping your doors and
windows, plugging leaks in your walls and foundation, switching to low flow
shower heads, and fixing dripping faucets. Each of these tasks only takes a few
minutes and costs very little. However, they can significantly cut your energy use.
Going green is not just about energy savings,
however. It’s also about using products that have less impact on the
environment. Green up your shopping by buying products that use less packaging,
buying local so that less fuel is used to transport items, and switching to
household cleaners and detergents that are environmentally friendly. You may
end up buying fewer things overall, which can save you money as well.
There are many other simple things you can do
green up your home, including:
- · Install a programmable thermostat, and set it so your air conditioning doesn’t run when you are not home.
- · Switch to energy-efficient LED light bulbs.
- · Plant landscaping in your yard that will shade your house in the summer but allow sunlight through in the winter.
- · Replace old appliances with a newer, energy-efficient models. This is an investment, but can save you money in the long run on your utilities, which will help offset the cost.
You don’t have to shell out thousands of
dollars for new solar panels on your roof or a wind turbine to go green. There
are many other ways you can green up your home and routine. Remember, every time
you make an environmentally friendly choice, no matter how small, you make a difference.
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
Managing Principal Broker/Owner
Realty Solutions
www.jessicashope.com
Gabby Tyer is your ultimate real estate resource for Portland, Oregon and surrounding areas. Visit my website for detailed information regarding today’s real estate markets.
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Photo courtesy B Cleary, Stock.XCHNG.
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