Going Green to Save Green

There are many ways to save money by choosing from a growing list of home energy improvements. Handyman Connection is excited to provide you with a list of things you can do or call on our experienced handymen to take care of it for you. These home improvements will help you save money year-round.

In your kitchen:

• Vent your Energy Star-rated exhaust fan directly to the outside to remove smoke, gas, and odors.
• Switch your bulbs to energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs. Advancements in the bulbs now provide better color & light quality.
• If your plumbing fixtures were installed before 1992, replace with new low-flow fixtures. You'll get the same pressure with much less water use. Fun options like foot-pedals will reduce the water you use.
• Avoid cabinets using formaldehyde-based particle-board.
• Without sufficient ventilation, the toxic substances in conventional caulking can have serious health impacts.

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In your bathroom:

• Older toilets use as many as 5 gallons per flush. Replace old toilets with a dual-flush model. They can be as efficient as 1.6 gallon per flush, saving 22,000 gallons of water per year for a family of 4.
• A typical household of 4 uses 260 gallons of water every day. Most of that water used in the bathroom. An efficient showerhead costs less than $15 and cuts water consumption by half.
• Install an aerator on every bathroom faucet, costs only $2.

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In your bedroom:

• Turn the thermostat down. Install a timed, programmable thermostat; it can warm up your room before you wake up.
• Try to create a nontoxic nursery using zero-VOC paints.
• Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting, it traps dust mites and allergens. Replace with wood flooring.

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Around your Home:

• If your home is more than 20 years old, chances are, it is missing important features such as insulation, energy-efficient windows, and water saving fixtures.
• Exposure to carpet mold is one of the leading causes of respiratory problems.
• The toilet accounts for approximately 30% of household water. High-efficiency toilets use at least 20% less water than standard toilets. Dual-flush, water-saving toilets save you money (about 20% of monthly water bills).
• To cut the water-heating bill in half, turn down your water heater to 120 degrees and insulate it.
• If your gas water heater is more than 10 years old, it is inefficient and should be replaced, and get one with a timer so that it heats water only when you need it.
• Windows are thermal holes. An average home may lose 30% of its heat or air-conditioning energy through the windows.
• Insulate your water heater. But 25% of every dollar you spend on energy goes to heat your water.
• Install a low-flow showerhead. Low-flow showerheads & faucet aerators can reduce your water consumption and your energy cost as much as 50%, without sacrificing water pressure.
• Install natural insulation in your walls & attic. Between floor joists as well.
• Install a programmable thermostat with a timer.
• Test your home for radon.
• Insulate your roof.
• Install solar panels.
• Install a whole-house fan.
• Buy/Install a water filter instead of bottled water.
• Add insulation to the hot-water pipes.
• Install a solar attic fan to vent hot air from your attic.
• Weatherize your windows and doors. Use caulk, sealants, and weather-stripping.
• 1/3 of the heat in your home is leaking out of your ducts. Seal the joints in your duct work with low-toxic mastic compound.
• Clean your air conditioner filter regularly. If you shade your air conditioner, it will not have to work as hard.
• Install ceiling fans instead of air conditioners.
• Clean/replace furnace filters each month of use.
• Put a foam gasket behind your thermostat so that it reads the actual room temperature instead of the colder temperature inside the wall.
• Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs and install occupancy Sensors which turn off lights when people leave the room.

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