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GreenDream Construction would like to offer you a few ideas on ways to not only reduce the strain on our environment, but also put some money back in your pocket each year. These are all relatively small investments (most less than $100.00) that will pay huge dividends for long periods of time.

*All potential savings are estimates based on U.S. EPA, DOE, and EIA data. These estimates are based on the national average of $1,900.00 as the annual household energy bill (That’s $158.00/month). Actual savings may vary. You should double-check all up-front costs locally in your area. Typically, the payback period on all energy efficient upgrades listed ranges between 1-5 years.

1. Replace your current light bulbs with Compact Florescent bulbs. The initial cost may be 3-4 times higher, but the bulbs have a lifetime that is generally 8-10 times longer and operate using approximately 20% as much energy. An average investment of $30.00-$50.00 should result in saving $200.00 or more annually.
2. Adjust your thermostat to 68 in the winter and 78 in the summer. Many people are not home during most of the day, so you can even lower the temperature setting in the winter and raise it during the summer while you are away. You can also get a nice, user-friendly programmable thermostat for under $100.00 that you can set to raise or lower the temperatures in correlation to your daily schedule. Also, by closing all of your blinds/window treatments during the day in the warmer months, your home will stay much cooler. Conversely, leaving them open in the cooler months will allow your home to stay warmer naturally. In only factoring the 68/78 concept, you can expect average annual savings of over $100.00.
3. Set hot water heater at 120 degrees and use low flow showerheads. This probably takes the least amount of time and energy (approximately 15 mins after purchase) of all these suggestions, and the cost for a new showerhead should range anywhere from $10.00 up to around $60.00 for an Ultra Low Flow Showerhead. Annual savings of $40.00 or more can be expected.
4. Weatherize and seal all doors, windows, ducts, etc. This may take a little bit of your time, but the return is well worth it. You can spend less than $30.00 on caulk, duct tape, and weather stripping and expect annual returns of over $250.00. This is something you should inspect every 2-3 years (especially all air ducts).
5. Use power strips, and turn them off when not in use. This is another one that takes a minimal amount of time and energy, and the cost should be about $25.00 or less. Just make sure you purchase a brand name that has a Lifetime Warranty and a Connected Equipment Warranty. Also, look on the bottom of your power strip and make sure it has a TVSS clamping rating of at least 330 volts. The smaller the clamping voltage rating the better. You can expect savings upwards of $100.00 annually.
6. Upgrade refrigerator and clothes washer to Energy Star model. This will undoubtedly have the highest initial cost, but appliances last for many years, and with an average annual savings of $125.00, it makes this a great investment.
7. Hang your clothes up to dry. This can be the most physically challenging in today’s fast-paced society, but even doing this with towels, jeans, and sweaters; you can expect average annual savings of $50.00-$100.00. On a side note, you can hang towels in the bathroom after use and get more than one shower out of them. Also, if you don’t wear an outfit for very long, hang or fold it back up instead of just throwing it in the washer.