• Tweet

• Tweet

Lately, it seems like going green is one of the trendiest things to do! Fads aside, being environmentally friendly is one of the best things you can do for you wallet, your home, your health and your world.

Here we’ve compiled some of the easiest, most cost-effective tips to get you on the road to savings and doing your part:

1. Use things only when you absolutely need to – seems like common sense, but many people will do a load of laundry for a single pair of jeans! The biggest energy vampires (things that are just always on and suck up useless energy) are computers and microwaves. If it’s not in use, pull the plug!
2. Buy energy-efficient appliances – if you’re still working with primitive appliances, consider replacing them with Energy Star appliances. You can get a break on your taxes and will also start to see a difference in your energy bills.
3. Compact fluorescent (CF) light bulbs – they may be more expensive, but between the energy bill savings and much longer lifespan, they will pay for themselves long before they ever quit on you. They’re available for almost all fixtures, in many different sizes – even for your large outdoor floodlights.
4. Wrap your water heater! If your water heater is still in good shape, there is a chance you can help it run more efficiently. Wrapping it in insulation will help keep it in peak condition. If you need a new water heater, consider a tankless water heater which saves space and money.
5. Give your dryer a break! If you’re not in a hurry, hang up your clothes to air dry. Dryers are one of the most guilty energy suckers. To be honest, there’s nothing more refreshing than the smell of fresh air-dried clothes.
6. Save some water in the bathroom – high-efficiency showerheads are inexpensive and easy to find. If you need some new porcelain, check out a low-flow toilet. The average low-flush toilet uses 2 gallons less than a normal toilet.
7. Consider buying alternative energy – contact your area’s energy company to find out about the greener alternative energy sources available to you.

This is just the start! There are many, many ways to reduce your footprint on the earth. Forget being trendy – make “being green” a priority and soon it will be an old habit you won’t even have to think about!

Related Info

• Get current mortgage rates.
• Find out more about FHA Express.
• Find the refinance loan that is right for you.

 Printer Friendly Version