Some Simple Solutions to Start Greening Your Home

It seems as though more and more people are becoming concerned with "going green" as awareness of the importance of preserving the planet and its natural resources continues to grow. More and more people are making going green a priority, and doing so has positive effects both in the environment and in the financial lives of households making these changes.

One of the easiest ways to go green is through making environmentally-conscious improvements to your home. The good news is that not only is this beneficial to the planet in the long run, but it can also save you money on your home down the road. Saving money is becoming a more primary motivation for homeowners to make "green" improvements to their homes, along with the motivation to make their home a healthier environment for their family.

Going green applies to a wide range of possible improvements to the home, from new drapes that can help regulate lighting, to replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, to using solar energy. Even something as basic as sealing air leaks in the attic or adding more insulation can make a big difference in helping a home to be more energy-efficient. Larger-scale updates like replacing an old furnace with a new, more energy-efficient one or reinstalling outdated windows can have a dramatic effect in lowering a home’s energy bills.

The bottom line is that a green home is a healthy home — but a green home can also mean saving money. In addition to reducing utility bills, a green home can mean a higher resale value when it comes time to sell it.

For those new to going green, here are some basic steps you can follow toward making your home environmentally friendly:

Start with an Energy Audit

Having a professional energy audit done on your home can accurately identify the main issues you’ll need to address. You’ll then be armed with information and have a "road map" to follow as you proceed with making your home a greener place to live. You’ll also have a better idea of how much you’ll need to spend to make the necessary updates.

Consider Energy Star Appliances

Choosing appliances with the Energy Star rating will automatically mean more energy efficiency for your home. These appliances are guaranteed to save you money on your utility bills going forward. In addition to the right appliances, water source heat pumps can also add to the "green" effect of your home.

Outdoor Improvements

Installing rain barrels, solar hot water systems and exploring other avenues of solar energy are just some of the outdoor improvements you can make. Be sure to have containers available in order to make recycling easier to keep up with. You’ll also want to have an area in your yard designated for composting.

Indoor Improvements

Believe it or not, the simple act of decorating your home in lighter colors can also have a "greening" effect. From the colors of your wall paint to your counter tops, lighter colors tend to reflect light, brightening your home and resulting in less of a need for lighting. Darker colors tend to absorb light and cause the need for brighter lighting.

Other indoor green ideas include using VOC paint and carpet options in order to reduce air contaminants. If you decide to go with hardwoods in your home, select woods finished with oil, not polyurethane.

Going green does not have to be complicated and difficult. There are a number of simple things you can do to start improving the energy efficiency of your home that can help you ease into doing larger-scale improvements and updates. Even just remembering small things like opening the drapes earlier in the day to let more sunshine in can result in an improvement in energy efficiency over time.