How to Make Your House Greener

Create less pollution on planet Earth by lowering your home's carbon footprint. You'll also save a ton of money in the long run, it's easier than you think!

Low-Flow Shower Heads

Wow, a good low-flow shower head can save 12-25 gallons of water per day, and that's not including energy on the hot water bill if your water tank is well insulated and efficient for your home size. Did you know a 10-min shower under a conventional shower head adds about $20 per month for daily showers? The great news is there are also low-flow toilets and faucets to lower our carbon waste even further!

Green Cleaning Products

Do you believe DIY cleansers don't work well compared to the ones made from an array of 'toxic' chemicals? The best way to find out is to gradually try what our great grandmothers may have used: lemon juice, baking soda and vinegar cuts through grease. Hydrogen peroxide mixed with water in a spray kills germs. Alternatively there are reputable environmentally friendly cleansers on the market: Ecover, Biokleen and Seventh Generation.

What To Do With Paper Towels?

Okay with regards to paper towels, we admit it's hard to do without them! But you can cut down on how much you use by saving them only for the grossest of cleanups! Instead consider recycling old cotton t-shirts and bath towels and cutting them into smaller pieces; they'll easily wash clean and can be reused forever! Up to par with cloth wipe towels, designer cloth napkins are 'green' and Euro chic!

What To Do With Dead Batteries?

Used-up batteries are a pain, BUT we can't simply throw them into the trash! Their heavy metal and corrosive acids seriously pollute the air, soil and water. Many local hardware stores may take them for recycling, if not, Whole Foods markets surely will! Consider switching to rechargeable batteries, technology has now made them longer lasting than their predecessor.

What's The Deal With Incandescent Lightbulbs?

U.S. regulation doesn't ban incandescent bulbs, nor demands the use of CFLs, it simply set energy efficiency targets with the first in 2012, and again in 2020. CFLs save 75% on electricity bills, and this translates into much less carbon pollution! A CFL bulb lasts 10,000 hours, whereas an incandescent lasts only 1,000 hours! The better choice here is a no brainer, plus CFLs now have a variety light spectrums to select from.

A Warm & Toasty Home

Every degree up or down on the heater's thermostat shows up immediately on your bill. Caulk and weatherstrip windows and doors for drafts to prevent using more heat energy than needed. Additionally if the attic and walls are well insulated, heat won't be lost. Check that the heater is running efficiency and turn it off when you leave home, or use a timer if it isn't a programmable one.

Upgrade Or Replace Windowpanes

Replacing old and single-glazed windows with new energy-efficient models will cost a bundle and yet only saves 7-24% on heating and air-conditioning bills. A larger savings is possible by professionally replacing the window glass with replacement windows or replacement sashes. With additional weather-stripping this upgrade is more cost-effective, while increasing your green efforts.

We Love Air-Conditioning, But...

Air-conditioning uses a lot of energy! Did you know you can lower the temperature indoors by switching to CFL lightbulbs? Ceiling fans, double glazed windows, and cross-ventilation via doors and windows help too. If you're building or renovating, there are options like facing the windows away from the direct sun, also use large trees and plants that supply shade to naturally cool your home.

Solar Paneled And Energy Efficient In Costa Rica

This home is 100% energy efficient and has an inspiring low carbon footprint! It's true, solar panels are expensive, but U.S. federal, state and local governments offer incredible tax credits and rebates to encourage homeowners to switch to this proven renewable energy source, plus you'll save about half if not more on your electric bill!

A New Kind of Landscaping

Worried about the cost of maintaining a garden? Choose drought-tolerant plants that suits your local climate, soil type, and sun exposure. For instance in warm dry areas, ditch the grassy lawn and go for stone paths among succulents and Mediterranean plants like Italian cypress. They require low maintenance and precious little water, too!