What else can I do to make my home greener?

Question

I have changed all the lightbulbs in my home, I recycle, have turned the heat down 5 degrees; buy as many recycled materials as I can and always take my own bags to market. What is the next step in making my home greener?

Answer 1

Hard to say. Do you own or rent? I would start a worm farm and compost my garden and have the "worm tea" to fertalize plants and lawn..Solar hot water and Solar panels are great. Did you know that the incredible compact flourescents now have competition? Yeah, they now have led lights that use 1/10th of what the flourescents use....I think that is great. They are pricy though. They make a small "cottege" styele solar heating system. It is compact and you could experiment with a room or two. I think you are doing great. You should be proud of your dedication!

Answer 2

Good for you!
If you own the house, insulate the attic as much as you can afford, upgrade the windows if they are not thermopanes, install water saving showerheads (Home Depot has a great one for only about $5, called the "incredible head".)
And consider getting cleaning products with fewer man-made chemicals. Vinegar and soda have many uses and are cheap and good for the planet.
Turn down the temperature on your water heater. Use a set-back on the home heating system, and set it down another 5F at night or when you are away. It doesn't take "more energy" to heat it back up, and you save for every degree cooler you can manage.
Unplug, or switch off the power strips on things that draw power even when they are off, like most TV's.
Bushes planted closely around the house will make it easier to cool and heat. Trees that shade the house reduce cooling costs a lot.
Use heavy drapes, window quilts or pleated multi-cell blinds on windows.
Again, if it's your own house...when furnace replacement time comes, get the most efficient unit you can.

Answer 3

So glad you're making such an effort!

In addition to all these great things, you can make a compost of all your left over fruits, veggies, etc. This cuts down on trash, and is great as a fertilizer.

In addition, the next time one of your appliances breaks, like a dishwasher or clothing washer, be sure to replace it with a energy saving appliance. (Extra bonus- the government gives you a partial refund because you're helping the earth!)

There are so many other things you can do to be more earth friendly, such as bike riding rather than driving when the weather permits, or take public transportation/ carpool.

Keep up the good work!

Answer 4

Install sky lights to bring in natural light.
Instal solar panels.
Plant trees that can shade your house in the summer and stop wind in the witner.
Plant your own vegtable and herb garden, to cut down on produce bought at the supermarket that may have been treated with chemicals.
Plant things that attract animals.
Hang bird houses and feeders.

Answer 5

Sounds corny, but put in some plants! Also, plant some trees. They help the environment, and eventually will help decrease the electric bill as well. Have you put in more insulation? Some electric companies send out FREE diagnosticians to help you make your house more efficient.

Answer 6

Green paint?
(Sorry, could not resist)

>Solar panels

>Replace your lawn with a landscape that does not require as much water.
(In the south, I have seen some very beautiful lawn-scape's with large natural looking rocks, a bush, and desert-type plants. If you live in a colder area, I am sure that you can still arrange something like that, minus the desert plants.

>replace your toilet bowl with a low-flush

Answer 7

Do you have a wood-burning fireplace? You can cook a lot of things on it, if it has a nice flat surface. Free energy. Cellular blinds are great for keeping heat in and cold out.

Answer 8

paint it green and grow green plants

Answer 9

uhhh grow trees!

Answer 10

compost......gardening.......