Joshua 
The best way to cut your bills and save money is to spend only what you need to get the most return. Only some people who want to go green have the means to buy the latest renewable technologies to build sustainable homes. Where should you put the capital you have to get the best return and benefit? The cheapest and most efficient ways to save Energy (and get the best return on your investment) are those that you can do all year.
The green building “pyramid” scheme:
With $5, you can save $100 by buying a tube caulking and following the tips in our air sealing guides. The $100 can be used to buy a more efficient showerhead, which will save you $100 per year in hot water costs. To see which silicone sealants are the best and what they look like, click here.
Two years later, a $5 investment could result in $200 savings per year. Is there a better investment proposition than this for your financial advisor? It will likely start with ‘pssst, hey buddy.’
This is the point: Greening your home and improving its efficiency doesn’t have to be a costly undertaking. You can do what you can while you have the time. If you start small and pay back quickly, you can save more money for more significant projects.
These ten energy-saving tips will help you save money
Saving Energy Sensibly: Turn your thermostat down by 4 degrees in winter. Wear socks inside the house and dress appropriately for the season. In summer, you can turn your thermostat to a comfortable temperature and consider when to vent the house. This will help keep the cool air out and save money running the aircon. Best part? The best part?
Caulking: Air leaks can cause a lot of heat loss in a house and can also lead to mold growth in walls in colder climates. A tube of caulking can even be cost-effective in a leaky home. It might take only a few days to pay the bill. Check for drafts around doors and windows on windy days. You should pay particular attention to the deadbolt and striker plate holes in the wall cavity.
Plastic for windows: For a few dollars per window, you can cover them with a thin plastic sheet. This will help you save money, keep your windows from freezing and make them less drafty. These kits can be purchased at any hardware store and applied with double-sided tape. To tighten it, you can simply run a hairdryer across it.
Foam draft strips on a roll: This is a very affordable product that can stop air from leaking around windows and doors without sealing the gaps. Particular attention should be paid to older doors and sliding doors as draft strips can often become lost or damaged.
Plumbing fixtures and aerators: Older taps and shower heads could be costly. This can save you a lot of money. You can save a lot of money by checking to make sure you have the ability to attach an aerator. new efficient tap. This could pay off in a year, two, or three months.
Low-flow showerheads: A low-flow showerhead can often pay for itself within months. It saves between 3 to 8 liters per minute while you shower. There is no sacrifice, and it is unlikely that you will notice the difference between an old wasteful showerhead and one with low flow.
Programmable thermostats: These thermostats, also known as “setback thermostats”, allow you to set lower temperatures while you’re away or sleeping and warm up when you return. You can save between 5-15 percent on your heating bills by using setback heating.
LED bulbs: While the cost of electricity keeps increasing, the price of efficient bulbs is on the decline. The long-term savings from efficient bulbs can be significant. Check out our page for all the benefits. Home lighting that works efficiently.
Additional attic insulation is a great way to save money, but be sure to maintain eaves ventilation © Ecohome
Attic insulation: The most important place to ensure proper insulation is your roof. This will allow you to save money and Energy. Some older homes might not have enough insulation, while others may have no insulation at all. A seamless blanket of cellulose (shredded newspaper print) can help to keep your home warm every season. If your budget permits, you can also do your walls if they are in need. But start with your attic if it’s not.
Grey water heat recovery: Hot water going down the drain and taking your money is one of the easiest ways that Energy leaves your home. Grey water heat recovery allows you to recover that heat before it leaves your home. This simply means that your cold water feed takes a brief detour before entering the water heater tank. You can pre-heat your water by passing it through copper pipes that are wrapped around your shower drain. The average family will pay for about 8 years to get the money back. Although it costs several hundred dollars, it is worth it.
Renewable energy and energy conservation
Geothermal Heating Makes great use of heat from the ground but is better suited to commercial buildings due to the initial cost. This system is best suited for moderately-sized homes that are well-insulated. You’d be better financially if you invested the tens of thousands in insulation for any building less than 5,000 square feet.
Photovoltaic panels (PV) It’s not that these panels don’t return, but they don’t pay back quickly and you need a lot to play this game. Like many high-tech products, technology is improving and the prices are dropping. It can be a great idea in some areas, as you can provide Energy to the grid and make a nice little profit at the conclusion of the day. If you have a south-facing roof, the Tesla Solar Roof program pays a nice dividend.
Grey water recycling This is a great way to make use of precious resources. Grey water recycling is the process of collecting water from showers and sinks and then filtering it to make it safe and practical. It is not for drinking water, but it can be used to flush toilets or irrigation. It is a wonderful idea, but it is expensive to put together, and the water price we pay for it doesn’t reflect its true value. This one is for your conscience and not your wallet.
Notable: Many households have found low-tech ways to do this. They simply replace the drainpipe under their sinks with 5 gallons of buckets and use that water for their toilets. It’s quite simple, but it works if you’re willing to do the work.
These tips are geared toward existing homes but the same philosophy and prioritization can be applied to new construction. If you’re building a new house, check out our building guide.
