Five Easy Eco-Friendly Home Improvement Projects for Under $50
(So easy, you have no excuse not to make them)
- Install aerators on faucets - These screw-on mesh screens break up water droplets, so you use less water but get just as much rinsing power.
- Clean your refrigerator coils - If they’re coated with dust, refrigerator coils can’t transfer heat efficiently, so it takes more energy to cool your food. Get at them (they’re usually found underneath the unit or at the back) with a long-handled brush.
- Replace weatherstripping - Over time, the seals around windows and doors wear out, letting in the chill of winter air and prompting you to crank up the thermostat.
- Reduce light pollution - Put a motion sensor on your all-night garage floodlight. Not only will you save electricity; you will get to enjoy one of early fall’s greatest pleasures: a clear view of the night sky.
- Clean green - You don’t need dozens of toxic products. Soap, baking soda, and vinegar or lemon juice can take care of most household cleaning needs. For recipes, get the book Clean and Green, by Annie Berthold-Bond.
(courtesy of greenhomeguide.org)
Low-Flow shower heads and faucet aerators are the single most effective water conservation savings you can do for your home. The aerator (the screw-on tip of the faucet) ultimately determines the maximum flow rate of a faucet. Typically, new kitchen faucets come equipped with aerators that restrict flow rates to 2.2 gpm, while new bathroom faucets have ones that restrict flow rates from 1.5 to 0.5 gpm. For maximum water efficiency, purchase aerators that have flow rates of no more than 1.0 gpm. Some aerators even come with shut-off valves that allow you to stop the flow of water without affecting the temperature. When replacing an aerator, bring the one you're replacing to the store with you to ensure a proper fit.
Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators are inexpensive to replace, simple to install, and can be one of the most cost-effective water conservation measures. They can reduce your home water consumption as much as 50% and reduce your cost of heating the water by as much as 50%. This conservation of water and energy is not only good for the environment, but the savings in your utility bills will pay for the cost of the aerators within a few months.
