Five cheap and easy earth friendly home improvements

You don’t have to be an environmental activist to understand that reducing your use of energy at home is good for the earth, and it’s good for the pocketbook. Even small changes can have a significant impact if everyone chips in. Perhaps you’re already well on your way down this path, but if not, here are five cheap and easy steps that you can take at home to get you started in the right direction, courtesy of the Whole Home Quizfrom National Geographic.

Caulking and Sealing

Air leaks in your home can increase heating and air conditioning costs by as much as ten percent. Caulking and sealing them is cheap and easy, and doing it can cut your carbon footprint by as much as 865 pounds per year.

Set your water heater to its optimal heating temperature

Lowering the temperature of your water heater prevents scalding and reduces carbon emissions by up to 480 pounds per year. Temperatures in the range of fifty degrees Celsius tend to be about the right number to maximize savings.

Check your furnace and air conditioner filters monthly

Checking air conditioner and furnace filters monthly to be sure they’re clean improves the efficiency of your systems and can save you anywhere from five to fifteen percent on utility bills.

Lower your home’s temperature by as little as one degree

You can shave more than five percent off of your energy bill for every degree that you lower your thermostat below twenty-one degrees in the winter and two percent for every degree above twenty-two in the summer. Make it automatic and easy by installing a programmable thermostat.

Install low-flow toilets

Flushing generally accounts for more than one third of home water use. New and improved high-efficiency toilets use less than 1.3 gallons per flush, approximately sixty percent less than older models.

Are you interested in more ways that you can contribute to a healthier environment? Check out National Geographic’s Green Guide for Everyday Living.

Have a happy Earth Day Saskatoon!

I’m always happy to answer your Saskatoon real estate questions.  All of my contact info is here. Please feel free to call or email.

Norm Fisher
Royal LePage Vidorra