Environmentally Friendly Home Improvements
Environmentally Friendly Home Improvement Ideas
With the winter quickly approaching, it’s time to take a look at your home and how you can increase the energy-efficiency of your home throughout the winter and lower your carbon footprint for years to come. Read on to learn the top ways to improve the eco-friendliness of your home.
Examine Your Heating
The number one source of energy consumption during the winter is heating. If your furnace is over twenty years old, you should think about investing in a new one, and make sure to purchase an Energy Star heater. Even if you already own a top-of-the-line furnace, it can always be improved for further efficiency. The easiest way to do this is to keep your filters clean, close off rooms you do not use and keep the baseboards and registers in your home clear. If your ducts aren’t already sealed, consider getting them sealed to reduce heat loss by up to twenty percent.
Improve Your Windows and Doors
Your windows are a huge source of wintertime heat loss. The best (but most expensive) way to improve “leaky” windows would be to replace them with double or triple pane windows. However, if the money tree in your backyard has stopped producing, you can also make sure the cracks between the windows and your house are sealed tightly. Put weather stripping around your doors and windows to keep the cold air from coming in through cracks. You can also purchase thick insulated doors for a few hundred dollars.
Improve Your Water Heater
Water heaters generally last around15 years max. If your water heater is reaching its retirement, consider replacing it with an Energy Star model. You can also put an insulating jacket around the tank which can eliminate heat loss by up to 40%.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
There’s no need to run your heater all day while you’re not even home. With a programmable thermostat while you are at work or out of the house during the day your heater will turn completely off or go down to the lowest setting. This can save up to fifteen percent on your heating bills, while also helping out the environment.
Clean Your Carpets Regularly
Having your carpets professionally cleaned on a regular basis will improve the indoor air quality in your home for two reasons. The first is that carpets act like giant filters for allergens, catching them in the fibers and then releasing the allergens whenever it’s stepped on. For better allergen control, carpets need to be regularly cleaned so the trapped allergens can be effectively removed. Without this type of allergen control, your carpets slowly fill with dander, pollen, and dust. The second reason you need professional carpet cleaning for allergen control is dust mites. Choosing an eco-friendly carpet cleaning company will ensure that you’re still conserving water and energy, while enjoying the benefits of your newly-cleaned carpet.
Consider these tips for making your home more eco-friendly this winter and prepare to reap the monetary and health benefits!
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Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning®, the leading carpet cleaner in the Hudson Valley, offers oxygen powered, green carpet cleaning services. Visit Oxi Fresh to find out about Hudson Valley Carpet Cleaners in Warwick and eco-friendly ideas.
