5 Eco Friendly Home Improvements

The average household wastes at least 10,000 gallons of water every year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). With the average price of water in the United States sitting at about $1.50 for 1,000 gallons, a leaky faucet is quite literally money trickling down the drain. Pair that with the $130 billion a year that Americans spend on wasted energy and suddenly greening your home sounds pretty necessary, right?

Luckily, you don’t need to break the bank to reduce energy usage and save water at home. All it takes is a few simple eco home improvements to green your home and save some green in the process.

Install Low-Flow Showerheads

Start with installing a low-flow, water-efficient shower head. It’s as simple as screwing in a light bulb and can save the average household up to 2,900 gallons per year, according to the EPA.

Install High-Efficiency Toilets

Reduce your family’s water usage by installing a high-efficiency toilet. If your toilet is leaking, don’t ignore it. According to Express Sewer, a leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day. Replace old, inefficient models with water-saving toilets. According to the EPA, WaterSense labeled toilets use 1.28 gallons or less per flush to save water at home, which saves you more than $110 per year in water costs.

Switch to Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) last 10 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs and use significantly less energy, saving you money. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) may cost a little more at purchase, but last even longer, making them well worth the investment.

Seal and Insulate Your Home

One of the most cost-effective ways to save energy at home is to make sure cracks and crevices are sealed. Replace wall insulation and caulk around drafty areas like window frames, electrical outlets and window-mounted air conditioners to reduce energy costs. Consider easy green home improvements like weather stripping and window seals for doors and windows.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Heating and cooling your home while at work or away is a waste of energy and money. Install a programmable thermostat for a quick and easy way to cut energy costs by only heating or cooling when necessary.

While doing some greener renovations you might find yourself in need of a dumpster rental to handle all of your unnecessary appliances and junk. When that happens give us a call at Waste Solutions 123 and set up your dumpster rental!