What are some cheap environmental upgrades I can make on my house?

Question

Some things I have already done:

1. Added insulation and weatherstripping.
2. Planted a vegetable garden.
3. Begun a composting system.
4. Replaced my old lightbulbs with the next energy-efficient kind.

I just don't have the money for solar panels, and a windmill won't work on my property. So is there anything else I can do?

Answer 1

Stop using non-recyclables.

Answer 2

1. is the only that is an upgrade.

Solar panels are not legal energy source. Not any of license for building and electrical of Communications and Construction know how the solar panel people keep collecting materials and interfering with other structures and power sources that are drained by the fields that surround solar collectors.
Energy efficient light bulbs can save in the long run, but it takes a quality manufactured to keep from a slight pulse that becomes an indefinable tire in those long lasting light sources.
Some guys are only comfortable with standard soft white, if it is G.E. original or a good generic. The consitent choice of light and agreement on is very important for absence of contention in residences that house more than one. If one is attempting to make choices for a "household" and another disagrees, there are two that are not compatible for same residence living, and not because of the economic.

Answer 3

Don't go overboard with your environmental upgrades.

Too much added insulation can work against you, and can and does add additional energy consumption during the cooling season...assuming that you have air conditioning.

Don't buy a lot of stuff for the freezer. Plan and buy frozen foods from markets and use them the same day or soon.

If you don't have ice cream and a lot of other stuff in your freezer...lower it down.

Vegetable gardens are fun...but the harvest cost with water and seeds are not economical.

Wash all clothes in cold water.

Solar panels and windmills are a joke! If you could implement them for any usage it would cost 10 times more than normal Utility costs.

If you concerned with the environment...Don't be.

If you are concerned with Utility bills...dress up or down to compensate for indoor temperatures.

You replaced the light bulbs...that is a waste of money...unless you are operating them more than 16 hours a day and every day.

If you cook, make enough for two days.

My question to you is why you are doing what you are doing...Are you an Al Gore Fan???

Answer 4

purchase products where the packaging is made from recycled materials, and that can be recycled or composted. or, purchase products that have less packaging to start with - contact your favorite brands via email or snail mail, and let them know you would buy more of their products if they would reduce their packaging.

buy a document cross-cut shredder & shred all your bill statements and sensitive documents. not only will this help you avoid identity theft, but the shreds can be recycled. if they were printed with soy based inks, they can even be composted (most newspapers are printed this way, and they make great mulch, shredded or not, for your veggie garden!)

install blinds or roll-shades on your windows and keep them closed during the day. if you can, put up some drapes as well, and keep those closed. this keeps the heat of the day out, particularly in south or west facing rooms. open them when you get home from work or after the sun starts to go down.

plant shade trees. ok, this may take some work on your part, since you will need to research what kinds of shade trees are best for your area, and how closely (or not) they can be planted to a house.

re: those compact flourescent bulbs - they contain small amounts of mercury, and should not just be thrown away once they burn out. check with the manufacturer to see if they have a mail in recycling program, or with your local mass marketer (target, kmart, etc...) to see if they have a collection facility for old bulbs.

Answer 5

Most of these "upgrades" I've read will do nothing but make you feel good.

The vegetable garden and composting system will help on your grocery bill, but what will it do to reduce your energy bills?

The easiest thing to do is to turn out the lights when you leave the room. Also, don't leave your PC running all the time. 300 watts per machine, sitting there humming away, even if it is on "energy saver" setting (most aren't), will also run up your bill. Don't bust a nut, just use a little common sense. Problem is, we've become so lazy that we rationalize that it isn't worth the fifty cents a day to turn the PC off (even though that is $180+ a year).

Answer 6

Tankless Water Heater!

It only runs when you want hot water. Otherwise, it is off and only using a little electricity to run the control panel. The water movement triggers the heating coils to turn on and heat the water you need.

Downside... if you have a large house with a lot of people, you'll want to have either a really big one, or a few small ones close to the hot water outlets because it will only let through a specified amount of water. Then when you overwhelm it... ie 3 people showering plus the washer plus the kitchen sink... it will mix cooler water with it. Just make sure you call the manufacturer to find out if you have a big enough size for your needs.

Answer 7

It's very responsible of you to be doing everything you are. Excellent job so far!

Here are a few things you can do:

1. Turn off the water in the shower and sinks when lathering, shaving, and brushing your teeth.
2. Avoid taking baths. Showers use far less water.
3. Look into inexpensive, eco-friendly showerheads available at most hardware stores. There are models out that provide a powerful stream of water and use a minute fraction of the water that current models do.
4. Make sure to keep up with smog checks on your car regularly.
5. Take advantage of public transportation and ride sharing whenever possible. This helps your city's economy and cuts down on CO2 emissions.
6. Turn off all lights and unplug appliances whenever a room isn't in use, and when you're leaving the house or going out of town. You'll be amazed at the money you save.
7. If you have a pool, get a cover and let the sun heat the water instead of an electrical pump.
8. ***Use NATIVE PLANTS AND GRASSES in your gardens and backyard.*** They are naturally adapted to your local environment and need almost no watering because of it. Most people forget this, but local plants can be just as beautiful and exotic-looking as other foreign plants.
9. Take your own bags to the supermarket. In Germany, most people bring their own textile-knit bags to market, and almost never use plastic and paper bags. (Plastic bags are the #3 plastic polluter of all oceans! So help stop that!!)
10. Don't throw used batteries in the garbage. Save them and dispose of them through your local collection of hazardous, toxic wastes. Batteries leak lead into the environment when they corrode, which is extremely dangerous and susceptible to getting into groundwater and aquifers of drinking water.

These 10 tips can help to make you an environmental superhero. Pass them on to your friends!!!!

Answer 8

Wow, a wonderful question, and terrific answers !!

I live in an apartment so am limited in my ability to modify... but I did make window-quilts: foam covered in fabric on the front and mylar on the back. It keeps things almost 10 degrees warmer in winter and cooler in summer!

In winter, I don't use the gas wall-heater: instead I do alot of baking and cooking in a low-oven with my DUTCH-oven... I also close doors and only heat ONE room.

At my brother's ranch (California), he's added a big plastic TANK to take the water from the washing machine... and uses it to water his lawn and garden.

He DOES have two windmills from his old sailboat, as well as small solar panels... the windmills POWER the house, and the solar panels power his barn.

Answer 9

Put a brick in the back of your toilet it will save on water.
Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
Reuse butter bowls to store left overs.
RECYCLE RECYCLE RECYCLE
Take showers instead of baths to save on hot water (electric or gas, and water).

Keep your blinds closed during the summer to keep your electric bill down and keep them open during the winter because the sun will help heat your house some.

There is also a type of Grass that grows very tall very fast and some people use it to sort of hedge their homes. The more tall folliage you have around your home the less your electric will be in the summer. The folliage will shade you home.

If your able to burn your trash thats a whole lot better then leaving it out for the trash trucks to take it to the dump.

One last thing >>> Most cities have a freecycle on yahoo groups. look yours up. Its a place where people list various free things (furniture, butter bowls, extra light bulbs, misc stuff) that they are either giving away for free or asking for. Its a way to keep things out of the dump and save a few $ too. You wouldnt believe the types of free stuff I've gotten off of there! Pets, Couches, Old cars that need renovating, baby formula, magazines, toys and clothing too!!! really a neat place.

Good Luck :)

Answer 10

Some Things you can do is:
1. When you leave a room turn off the electronic devices that you aren't going th use.
2. Reduce using items that are not biodegradable. Such as plastic,and foil cans.
3. Reduce the use of fossil fuels and instead use sources of energy.
4. Reuse things. Such as clothing, equipment, bags,and building materials.
5. Don't let the water running.
6. Recycle. Put the cans with the cans or the plastics with the plastics so that they can be used once more and not pollute our home.

Answer 11

Seriously, the turning the heater/ac up/down as needed is hard on your system.... it is also hard on you and your pets. Depending on the area you live in, try turning your heater and ac off completely during the warm/hot months. I live in Colorado, and the only time my heater is on is from late October to early March, and even then, it's set to 65 degrees. I open windows during the day if the weather is pleasant to help air out the house, and to help keep a constant temperature. When the sun goes down, I close the windows and the house keeps the warmth from the day inside, even when it gets cooler out at night. The more fresh air and Sunlight you can get into your house, the better. The sunlight helps kill mold and bacteria, and the fresh air helps keep you, your children, family and your pets healthy. I only turn on my air conditioner if it's extremely hot, and i can't bear to live without it. Also, try swiching to a swamp cooler - much more energy efficient, and healthier too. Just keep up on your seasonal maintenance on it (clean out the tank every season to prevent bacteria, bugs, rust etc., change mesh and filters) As a child, i used to get very sick because of our air conditioner. With the swamp coolers, I've never had a problem.

another tip, instead of using fertilzer on any garden or yard, try using manure, you can go to any farm or dairy and they will be happy to let you have as much as you want to take. it's chemical free, and much healthier for you instead of fertilizer on your veggies. If you have aquariums, you can use the water from your fish tanks when you do your water changes to water your house plants. it's an excellent fertilzer.

If you have a septic system, don't use chemicals to treat it. Believe it or not, (I work in the field, i do know what i'm talking about) the chemicals that are supposed to help 'clean out' your system, actually can kill the benificial bacteria that break down your solids, and can eventually block up your system.

good luck, hope that helps!!