Home Improvement Tips Blog

Not much really.

'Environmentally friendly' and 'energy efficient' go hand-in-hand.

Here are 4 simple improvements for a more Earth-friendly abode.

1. Insulate and Seal. Remember the old saying your mom would yell when you left the door open? "Hey, I'm not paying to heat the outdoors, shut the door!" Well, that's what you're doing if you've got air leaks around your windows and doors. To keep your heat and cool indoors you'll want to add insulation to your attic, basement or crawlspace and wall cavities. And if new, energy-efficient windows aren't in the budget right now, then you should also caulk around all windows and electrical outlets.
2. Energy-Efficient Lighting. A single compact fluorescent bulb prevents 500 pounds of carbon dioxide from entering earth's atmosphere over the course of its life. So why no change out your regular incandescent light bulbs for low-wattage compact fluorescents? Also, instead of leaving porch and garage lights on all night, consider motion-sensor lights. They only come on when you need them, notify you of visitors and save energy.
3. Wrap Your Water Heater. We buy coats for our dogs, so why not an insulating jacket for our water heater? All kidding aside, there are special insulating blankets or jackets made just for your water heater. They aren't expensive and they're readily available at any home centre. Make sure your water heater's set no higher than it's optimum energy efficiency temperature of 120 degrees and simply wrap the tank, securing the jacket with duct tape. Enjoy the savings on your next energy bill!
4. Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances. Appliance efficiency has come a long way in a short time. When it's time to replace a dying appliance, make sure you find one with an Energy Star label and here's a tip...if you're looking to sell your home sometime down the road, leave the Energy Star label on the appliance! It'll help sell your home.