Tips for Saving Energy and Money. . .
and Making Your San Diego Home Green
There is a lot of attention being given to preserving the natural resources of our planet. As a home owner you can do your share to preserve the environment and save money in the process. Many of the things you can do to make your home green will be at minimal or no cost, while other things may require a small to modest investment that will pay large dividends in the long run. Some of the tips included here are things that can be implemented right away to start saving money and the environment.
One of our biggest concerns is the cost of energy bills. Doing something as simple as removing the lint from the lint trap of your clothes dryer after each load will not only improve the air circulation in the appliance for more effective drying, but will cut down on wasted energy. Also, washing full loads rather than partial loads not only saves water, but washing and rinsing them in cold water saves on the energy needed for heating water.
Turning off computers and peripherals at night or setting them to go into sleep mode can reduce your energy costs. Be sure to unplug all appliances that are not in use, and don't forget to flip off the light switch as you leave a room to save several kilowatts per year. Using compact fluorescent bulbs saves energy and reduces the heat put out by incandescent bulbs. Installing dimmer switches on incandescent bulbs can extend the life of the bulbs. Most compact fluorescent bulbs cannot be used with dimmer switches.
Caulking around windows and doors, as well as sealing around heating and air conditioning ductwork, can boost the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems and save you a substantial sum off your energy bills.
These are just some of the things you can do right away as a homeowner to cut the cost of your energy bills and help to make your home a little greener!
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