Green Tips

Are you interested in changing simple, everyday activities that will help you contribute to a greener environment?  Consider these simple tips:

1. Turn down the thermostat. Lowering it by only one degree can reduce heating energy costs by about 4%.
2. Use ceiling fans in the summer and winter. By reversing the direction of the blades, warm air is pushed down, helping to keep rooms warm in the winter.
3. Lower your energy bill by cleaning your dryer’s lint trap before every load to improve air circulation; therefore, cutting down on energy-wasting drying time.
4. Recycle packing & shipping materials from any newly purchased items, and safely dispose of paint cans and other containers with contents that could potentially contaminate the ground or water supply.
5. On cold sunny days, open window coverings to let the sun warm your home. On hot days, close window coverings on the south and west sides to keep your home cooler.
6. Save $30 to $40 per year in water heating costs by washing and rinsing clothes in cold water. You can also save more than 3,400 gallons of water per year, according to Energy Star, by washing full loads instead of partial loads.
7. Worried about toxins in the home? The Washington Toxics Coalition reports that using entryway mats can reduce the amount of pesticide residue on carpets by 25% and the amount of dust on carpets by 33%. Also, in homes where shoes are removed at the door, according to the WTC, there are10 times less dust than homes where shoes are worn.

Energy Audits

Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audits

You can easily conduct a home energy audit yourself. With a simple but diligent walk-through, you can spot many problems in any type of house. When auditing your home, keep a checklist of areas you have inspected and problems you found. This list will help you prioritize your energy efficiency upgrades.

Locate Air Leaks
Check for indoor air leaks, such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling. Check to see if air can flow through these places:

• Electrical outlets 
• Switch plates 
• Window frames 
• Baseboards 
• Weather stripping around doors 
• Fireplace dampers 
• Attic hatches 
• Wall- or window-mounted air conditioners.

On the outside of your house, inspect all areas where two different building materials meet, including:

• All exterior corners 
• Where siding and chimneys meet 
• Areas where the foundation and the bottom of exterior brick or siding meet

You should plug and caulk holes or penetrations for faucets, pipes, electric outlets, and wiring. Look for cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, and siding, and seal them with the appropriate material. Check the exterior caulking around doors and windows, and see whether exterior storm doors and primary doors seal tightly.