Going Green And Loving It!

As with the HWC Green Home it doesn't take a lot of work or a lot of money to start going green.

1. Change as many of your light bulbs as you can to CFL's (Compact Fluorescents). This can be an easy and affordable way to lower your energy bill by 75% or more.
2. Choose low odor or low VOC paint when doing any paint projects. This not only makes it more comfortable for you when you're painting, but also cuts down on the lingering fresh paint smell in your house (a big help when trying to sell).
3. Choose beautiful low cost green flooring for your home. Hardwood, laminate and tile are not only beautiful alternatives to your worn out, unhealthy carpet, but can also be cheaper and easier to install than carpet if you do it yourself.
4. Choose solid wood or plywood cabinets when doing your next kitchen or bath remodel instead of fiberboard. The initial investment will cost more typically than standard fiberboard cabinets, but the investment in quality is always worth it. (ROI 81% in the first year after the investment)
5. Shop architectural salvage stores and thrift stores for good buys on products for your home. Some items may need work, but it can be worth the work for the savings.
6. Choose the right species and locations for trees and save as much as 25% on your energy bills.
7. Add extra insulation wherever you can. Adding insulation to uninsulated basement walls and adding another 9 or 10 inches in your attic can cut your energy bills by as much as 35% or even more experts say.
8. Changing out old 3.5 gallon toilets made before 1998 with new low consumption 1.6 or 1.3 gallon toilets will save you over 50% on your water bill.
9. Choose Energy Star rated appliances for your next kitchen remodel and save on your energy costs.
10. Replace your old manual thermostat with a new programmable thermostat and not only save on your heating and cooling costs, but increase your home's comfort.