4 Ways to Be Environmentally Friendly When Upgrading Your Home

Making your home energy efficient not only helps you to save the environment, it also helps you to save money. Many people avoid taking this step because they’re not sure if making these changes will be worth the cost. If you’re in this camp, then take heart. Doing any of the following four things by themselves can create a great environmental impact and save you money to boot. And doing them in tandem increases the effect manifold.

Insulate the Roof

It may not be the most interesting-sounding solution, but adding insulation to your roof can save you a ton of money. Installing roof insulation will run you about $1300. However, once you have it, you could save several hundred dollars over the course of the winter every winter for years to come.

Keep the Windows Sealed

Much of the energy that’s going to escape from your home is going to escape from the cracks in your windows and doors. Installing features like weather-proof windows and aluminum shutters to keep the heat inside during the winter and the cool inside during the summer.

Recycle Waste Materials

Sorting your trash and recycling it counts as one of the easiest way to ways to keep your home environmentally friendly. If you want to do this, then it’s as simple as making separate bins for compost, paper and plastic, aluminum, and then one for wet house garbage. Put the right trash in each bin and dispose of it as your city’s garbage removal dictates.

Add Energy Efficient Appliances

Energy-saving appliances can play a key role in your home’s energy costs. Between adding special thermostats and energy-efficient washers and dryers, you can save anywhere from $50 to a couple of hundred dollars a month. For example, installing a programmable thermostat costs you only fifty bucks or so, but will save you up to $200 or more per year.

Making your home energy efficient doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. Taking some simple steps, like adding energy-efficient appliances, sealing your windows, recycling, and insulating your roof will do wonders for your energy bills and your carbon footprint and your energy bills, too.

Fortunately for your wallet, you do not have to make these changes all at once. Start with something simple, like a new appliance or aluminum shutters, and your investment can make a significant difference. You can add more of them as your time and money permit.