You don’t have to allow thousands or even hundreds of dollars to make small, eco-friendly improvements on your home. Instead, making seemingly miniscule changes throughout various spaces in your house will result in large transformations, increased sustainability and financial savings. Follow some of these effortless home improvement tips to make your house greener without emptying your bank account.
Locate Air Leaks
If your home is losing valuable heat or cool air during different seasons, locating the source of those leaks is imperative to cutting costs and diminishing waste. Doors and windows are a common culprit for air leaks in many homes, making them a good place to start your search. Simple and affordable weather stripping can significantly reduce the amount of warm and cool air you lose through small cracks beneath your doors or surrounding your windows. Caulk can be used around windows to block leaks simply and remedy air leaks for much cheaper than replacing entire windows or hiring a contractor.
Cut Back Water Usage
A more efficient shower head or faucets for your sinks are a simple way to reduce the amount of water you and your family waste each year. Making such a small improvement is extremely affordable and actually saves you money in the long run as you cut back on the amount of water used in your household. In addition to being an affordable project that reduces your household budget, a slower flow shower head will cut waste without a very noticeable difference when you shower.
Increase Air Flow
Running your air conditioner constantly during sweltering summer months can drain your bank account with costly utility bills while wasting precious energy. Installing a basic, run-of-the-mill ceiling fan is one way to decrease your family’s dependence on your A.C. When temperatures cool in the evening, switch off your air conditioner in favor or ceiling fans within bedrooms or main living areas to circulate air and keep rooms cool without excessive energy.
Cut Your Furnace Some Slack
Make a note to yourself to replace the filter for your furnace regularly. When bombarded by dust and dirt, your furnace must often work much harder to perform at the same pace. Replacing dusty filters regularly allows your furnace to operate at an efficient pace, without being bogged down by particles and filth. In addition, the air in your home will be much cleaner and even allergen free if you swap out old filters before they become overly caked with dirt.
Pablo works as a a licensed plumber in Houston. His company provides both residential and commercial services. He has over a decade of experience and likes writing about plumbing tips.
Hi, I’m Cathy! I’m a former career-driven professional turned stay-at-home mom. Living on one salary has its challenges, but it is possible to live the good life while spending less. Cool to be Frugal is all about how we’re thriving, not just surviving, on a single income.
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Put on a sweater. Running around the house in shorts and a t-shirt in the winter can cost a lot of money. Dressing for the season can help keep costs down.
Very good article. All so simple but every year it is good to check things again.