I picked up a copy of a free Home Depot publication called “The Green Guide” when I wandered into Home Depot last week in search of low-VOC paint and recycled cardboard moving boxes for my upcoming move.
Inside the guide, Home Depot recommends ten ways to reduce energy and water consumption at home. These green home improvement ideas, which range from the most simple to more advanced, will also save consumers some money with a few easy purchases from the Home Depot or from other home improvement suppliers that carry green building supplies.
These same ideas can also be easily applied in the process of creating a sustainable business with eco-friendly office space.
1. Replace standard incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent. Home Depot sells packs of Energy Star certified CFL bulbs for cheaper than many other retailers. Using fluorescent bulbs is an easy step towards reducing your carbon footprint.
2. Change the filters in your heating and cooling system regularly to help it run more efficiently. Look at the filter packages to see the recommended life of the filters you buy. Some are one month filters, others are three month filters. Home Depot also sells air filters which can be rinsed out and reused to reduce waste.
3. Install a programmable thermostat which you can program to keep the air cooler at times when you are home but raise the temperature when there is nobody in the house or office to enjoy the air conditioning.
4. Toilets use more water than almost anything else in the home. Purchase high efficiency toilets, which use less water.
5. Make sure that your attic is insulated and the cracks around your doors and windows are sealed so that you are not pumping that expensive heating or air conditioning to the outside.
6. When you need new appliances, look for Energy Star appliances, which use less energy than conventional models.
7. Use a Kill-A-Watt device to detect energy that is being used by appliances that are plugged in but are not in use.
8. Insulate old water heaters to prevent heat loss.
9. If it is time to replace your water heater, be sure to choose a new Energy Star model.
10. Install your own green power sources. Look for tax credits for solar panels and wind generators. The U.S. government is also offering tax credits for extra efficient windows and doors.
Photo via Cthoyes