Tips to Green Your Home and Save Money

Whether you’re a renter or a homeowner, chances are you care about protecting the environment – and saving money. Here are some tips from Bank of New Hampshire to help you do both.

Location, location, location efficiency

Carefully consider the location of your home. If you’re close to work, shopping and entertainment, you may not need a car. Without a car you would save money on gas, car insurance and maintenance, not to mention reduce pollution. If you’re thinking about moving further out, try to find something near public transportation and shopping.

Light up the house, not the electric bill

Replacing incandescent light bulbs with more energy efficient compact florescent light (CFL) bulbs will save you in electricity costs. According to ENERGY STAR, if every American home replaced just one light bulb, we would save enough energy to prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

Some like it hot, hot, hot … or cold, cold, cold

Closely monitor your thermostat. Adjusting it just a few degrees while you’re out can save energy and money. You can make it easier by installing a programmable thermostat. Use fans and close the blinds during the warm months and let the sun in for natural warmth in the winter.

How low can you go?

One way to save water is by using low-flow toilets. The most cost-effective way to do this is to simply take a 1 liter plastic bottle, fill it with water and place it inside the tank. This will reduce your water use per flush. Another way to save water is placing an aerator on all of your faucets.

Make it mean-green-clean

Cleaning supplies can be expensive and are made with toxic chemicals. You can save money and the environment by making your own cleaning supplies. All you need are some basic household ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda and borax to clean everything from windows to tile. Look online for recipes and suggestions.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Sticking to this mantra can help you save money around the house. Use a rag instead of paper towels. Buy products in bulk, or use concentrate or refillable containers to reduce packaging waste. Look for products made from recycled content. And don’t forget to recycle when possible!

Win-dos for your windows

There are a number of ways you can make your windows more energy efficient without replacing them. For better insulation from the weather you can caulk exterior joints, put shrink wrap on them or hang blackout curtains.

Fan the green flames

To keep your refrigerator running efficiently, keep the fan clean. The motor won’t have to work as hard if the fan is clear of debris.

Decorate green

Houseplants are like living air-filters. English Ivy, rubber trees, peace lilies and red-edged dracaena can help clean the air and look pretty too.

Vampire energy is sucking you dry

On or off, anything plugged into the wall sucks energy. Unplug your electronics and appliances when they’re not in use.

Bank of New Hampshire’s residential lending officers provide local decision making that’s simple and convenient. Connect with a lender today to discuss your options!

Credit: American Bankers Association