How to Go Green Around the House

It is hard to go anywhere without hearing about the strain on our natural resources or the landfills that are overflowing. There is a major push to go green, and here at Greenwood Hardware we strongly support it! Going green means conserving natural resources as much as possible and learning how to reduce, reuse and recycle. Don’t panic! If you are unfamiliar with going green, you are probably wondering where you would even start. Fortunately, you can find everything you need to get started at Greenwood Hardware.

Leaky Faucets

That dripping faucet in the bathroom is more than just a nuisance. Days and weeks of a constantly dripping faucet adds up. You can save money on your water bill while preserving natural resources by fixing the faucet. It is pretty easy to do and usually only requires a simple washer replacement. You can find replacement washers at the hardware store.

Seal Doors and Windows

The quarter inch or smaller space around your doors and windows is costing you money on your heating and cooling bills. More energy used translates to more of a drain on natural resources. You can install rubber insulation strips around your doors and windows can stop the leaks. In the summer, the cool air you are paying for is leaking outside. In the winter, the cool air is seeping through and making it difficult for to keep your home warm. Caulking is another option and is quick and easy to do.

Electric Mowers

Keeping your lawn healthy requires regular maintenance and cutting. You can save money on your weekly lawn mowing duties by investing in a cordless electric mower. There are electric cars so it only makes sense we would have electric mowers. They are nearly identical to their gas counterparts, but are much more cost friendly as well as environmentally friendly.  And if you want the added benefit of getting a workout in while mowing, move to a hand push mower!

LEDs

A quick way to save anywhere from $15 to $50 a month on your electric bill is by replacing your old, outdated incandescent light bulbs with LEDs. The bulbs may cost a bit more up front, but they last 10 times longer and use about a quarter of the electricity of the old bulbs.

Energy Efficient Hot Water Heaters

Hot water heaters account for a large portion of your electric bill, which burns up natural resources. By investing in a new hot water heater that operates at top performance you can save yourself a great deal of money. Look into putting an insulating “jacket” on your water heater to help preserve the heat generated.

Green Cleaning Products

A quick and easy way to go green is by giving up those harsh cleaners that are toxic to you and the environment. There are plenty of products that are just as effective as your old favorite cleaning agent, but they don’t have all the toxic chemicals that are bad for the environment. Chemicals can damage plumbing fixtures and sewer systems.

These are just a few things you can do start the transition of going green in your home. As you can see, these are relatively simple fixes and won’t require you to change your lifestyle. You can find everything you need at Greenwood Hardware. And if you have questions, we are here for you. Come on in, or contact us online. Get started on greening-up your home today!