Top Ten Ways to Green Your Home

Going green does not have to be expensive.  In fact, some of the most inexpensive things you can do can make a big difference in your energy use and lower your utility bills.

1. Compact Flourescent Light Bulbs - Replace the most used light bulbs with CFL bulbs.  Save the old yellow bulbs for seldom used closets and attic lights.  Designate a box to store old CFLs for recycling. 

2. Buy Energy Star Products - When available for a product, ONLY buy Energy Star.

3. Seal Windows and Doors - Fix all of your storm windows, storm doors and door weather-stripping. Old windows work well thermally when maintained well. 
 
4. Get a Professional Tune-up on Your Furnace and AC - at least every other year; annually for oil fired.  Change your air filters frequently at least quarterly. 

5. Give Your AC Room to Breathe! - Clear air space around the AC condenser, trim the shrubs and give condensers shade in the summer. 

6. Double-Paned Windows - Make sure all windows have double-glazing or storms, including basement windows. Glass block counts as single glass according to recent tests. 

7. Wrap the Water Heater - with an insulation blanket made for the purpose.  But do it safely!!!  Do not cover combustion vents or pressure relief valve. Insulate all visible hot pipes and the first few feet of cold out of the tank.

8. Install Low Flow Shower Heads - The new ones feel great!  Kitchen sink too.
 
9. Install High Performance or Dual Flush Toilets - When replacing toilets make sure they are “High Performance” super low consumption.  Dual-flush toilets are starting to appear at competitive prices and make lots of sense.

10. Get a Whole House Energy Inspection - This will give you a 5 year energy improvement plan that can make any house high performance, control utility bills, improve comfort summer and winter.  Maryland Home Performance with Energy Star lists auditors and contractors certified to give you a quality diagnosis and cost effective treatment plan for you house.  It is worth the investment-- energy inspections range in price from $350-600. 

Adapted from a list provided by TerraLogos Green Home Services