With the continuing crisis in the world's economy, suffering homeowners across the globe are seeking new ways to save money. Whether that be coupon clipping, tightening up on frivolous spending or using more off-brand products, there are indeed many ways that a family can maximize their income.
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One option that is both kinder to Mother Nature and your wallet is to improve the energy efficiency of your home. The following are some green home improvements that are cost-effective and energy efficient.
Beefing Up Insulation:
Especially for those living in an older home beefing up your property's insulation can lead to big energy savings in the long run. The insulation options available to today's homeowner offer not only superior efficiency as compared to the insulation used in building in the past but also the ability to insulate an existing dwelling without need for major demolition or reconstruction. If you feel that your handy-man skills might be up to the task this is a job that can be completed DIY in a weekend. See the National Assocation of REALTORS® article on DIY insulation at http://www.realtor.com/home-garden/do-it-yourself/heating-air-conditioning/insulating-existing-walls.aspx.
New Appliances:
By now chances are that you've heard of Energy Star appliances. These appliances provide a higher degree of energy efficiency than their outdated counterparts, and depending on the frequency with which you use the appliance can decrease your utility bills by hundreds of dollars per year. Replacing your refrigerator alone can have a large impact on energy efficiency and savings.
Change Your Bulbs:
Replacing your home's incandescent bulbs with more energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs might not net you huge savings, but it does increase your home's efficiency. A compact fluorescent bulb uses about 1/3 the energy of traditional incandescent bulbs and lasts up to 10 times longer, meaning not only less bulb changes in hard to reach fixtures but also savings over the life of the bulb. Don't be fooled by the price tag: these bulbs will easily pay for themselves over time.
Embrace the Double Pane: Installing double pane windows in your home can yield great energy savings while also keeping your home more comfortable. Not only will the outside elements be kept out and the inside heating/cooling be kept in, you can also enjoy more quiet in high traffic areas by installing these more efficient windows.
Underfloor Heating:
This improvement is admittedly on the more costly side of going green but the potential savings are worth the initial investment. Underfloor heating has been popular in Europe and the U.K. for decades. The concept might sound highly scientific when in fact it's not all that complicated: underfloor heating radiates heat from the floor upward, keeping with the scientific fact that heat rises. These floors offer a much more even and efficient heat source than traditional heating options, not to mention no more cold hardwoods in the morning. Due to the invasive nature of this project you might consider installing underfloor heating at the same time as a new flooring project.
Upgrading your home's energy efficiency will not only save you money in the long run but also decrease your carbon footprint. Most of these improvements also go along way in improving the comfort level inside your home, so you have nothing more than the initial investment to lose. For more information on the many ways to make your home a greener one visit http://www.realtor.com/home-garden/Green-Your-Home/Simple-Household-Products-to-Green-Your-Home.aspx.
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