Going green not only means being more eco-friendly, but it can also equal saving money. The Green Home Guide, a partner of the U.S. Green Building Council, has lots of articles on its website with tips on renovating your home into a greener - and more cost-efficient - space. Here are a few suggestions from the experts:
- Replace an old, wooden front door with a new, steel model. You'll increase your safety and your energy efficiency, plus the ROI when you sell your home can be over 100 percent!
- Decrease your lighting bill by letting in more sunshine. Install skylights, expand windows, and consider adding automated blinds or curtains to your home. Some even work with the Nest thermostat or your smartphone.
- Unplug computers, printers, game consoles, and appliances when they're not in use. Leaving them "asleep" or idle could be costing you more than $250 per year.
- Replace those old light bulbs. Most know this, but few of us have gone through our entire homes and replaced every incandescent bulb with an LED or CFL bulb. It's estimated to save nearly $200 per year.
Lowering energy costs and minimizing your impact on the environment by going green is a great way to free up some of your cash.