Practicing green alternatives is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint, lower your energy bills, and make a difference in the environment. With a few small adjustments to your home, you can live green with ease.Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
Your shower uses around 22% of the total water you use in your home. A good portion of that water takes a bypass through your water heater raising your energy bill. For instance, with an old shower head, a 5-minute shower would use about 30 gallons of water. If you’re like the average American, you’re probably doing the water math now trying to figure out how much money you wasted on a low-flow shower head. The result? You can cut your shower water use by two thirds.
Install a Low-Flow Faucet Aerator
15% of an average household’s daily water consumption is through faucet use. Let’s put it another way: in a family of four, if each household member used the sink for 6 minutes a day, they would reduce the daily household water consumption by 48 gallons per day with an aerator. One of the least expensive ways to increase the efficiency f your home is to install low-flow aerators on your faucets. These devices save water and lower utility bills because less hot water is being used. As a result, faucet aerators will generally pay for themselves in only a few months. A standard aerator will allow flow rates of 2.5 to 5 gallons of water per minute.
Install a Dual-Flush Toilet
The dual flush toilet is one of the latest advances in green home technology. It’s scary to think that in 2013, an estimated 36 states will experience water shortages according to the Environmental Protection Agency. For this reason, it’s time to start thinking about new ways to conserve water and energy. Start in the bathroom when you install a new, dual flush toilet. Dual flush toilets handle solid and liquid waste differently by giving the user a choice of a half or full flush. As a result, you do not have to use a full tank of water every time you flush your toilet thus saving you money and conserving water.
Fix Leaky Faucets
The small drip can take a big nip from your energy budget. A single drip every few second may not seem like a big deal. However, ¬if you let your faucet drip every day, twenty four hours a day, it will add up. Although it is impossible to tell for certain just how much water is being wasted, the US Geological Survey estimates that roughly 15,140 drips from a faucet equals one gallon of water. Contact your local Jacksonville, Florida, plumber to ensure all of your leaky faucets are fixed. Unclog DrainsHair, grease, fats, soap scum, and other debris are big culprits for drain clogs. The accumulation of dirt and grime gets lodged into the drain causing you to use more water and more energy to get water down the drain. A slow draining sink, toilet, shower, and tub are not only a nuisance, but a money waster. Contact your local Jacksonville, Florida, plumber today to learn easy-to-follow tips to ensure your drains stay clog free.
Look for Energy-Star Lighting and Appliances
Installing ENERGY-STAR appliances throughout your home, including your kitchen and bathroom, will help ease the strain on your energy bills. From appliances and lighting to ceiling fans, ENERGY-STAR offers a myriad of green energy appliances that will make a difference in your home value, your energy bills, and your quality of life. Contact Fenwick Home Services, Inc. to learn more about the benefits of green appliances and the easy, affordable installation process.
Replace Plumbing Fixtures That Were Installed before 1992
Plumbing fixtures have an expiration date too. Before 1992, plumbing fixtures consumed at least three times the amount consumed by current fixtures. After the passing of the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 1992, strict requirements for water fixture performance were put into place. Since then, even more strides in technology has allowed for greener products and fixtures. By upgrading your fixtures and appliances, you will see a significant difference in your energy bill.
Install a Recycling Bin or Kitchen Composter
Any homeowner knows that the kitchen generates a lot of waste. By investing in a composter, you will contribute towards a cleaner environment. It’s an essential appliance to ensure you reduce the amount of garbage that naturally collects in your home, and especially in your kitchen. Reduce your carbon footprint by decreasing the amount of trash you produce that inevitably is sent to landfills and trash cans.
Whether you live in a tiny condo or an expansive acreage, you can leave a greener footprint no matter when you hang your hat. Contact Fenwick Home Services, Inc. today to get started on your green home renovations and updates.