Five Ways to Make Your Home Green

Making your home green does more than just help the environment, it can save you money on your monthly energy bill. Below are five simple, easy ways to make your home more green.

1. Replace Old Appliances with Energy Efficient Ones

As a general rule of thumb, if your appliances are over 10 years old, replace them with new, energy-efficient ones. This is especially true of old dishwashers, clothing washer and dryers and refrigerators. Some models use up to 20% less energy.

   
2. Use Bamboo Flooring Over Hardwood

Bamboo is an excellent alternative to hardwood floors. It is beautiful and grows abundantly, making it a great flooring option.

 
3. Install Tubular Skylights in Place of Traditional Skylights

In place of a lighting fixture, you can install a tubular skylight. These skylights are subtle and blend into a room, but are much more energy efficient than conventional skylights.

 
4. Resurface Instead of Replacing Cabinets

Instead of replacing cabinets, try simply resurface the existing ones. This will give your cabinets a new, updated look while minimizing waste.

 
5. Install and Use Fans Instead of Air Conditioning

Installing energy-efficient fans can really improve the flow of air in a house and keep your home cooler. This is a great alternative to over-using the air conditioning. Some energy-efficient models use half as much energy as conventional fans.