Homes will feel the luck of the Irish when improving to environmentally friendly home operation systems. Switching to sustainable forms of plumbing, heating and electricity is good for the home and the earth. Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric is encouraging people to make eco-conscious decisions in their homes this St. Patrick’s Day to avoid getting pinched from home damages or expensive bills.
According to a University of Michigan study, single family homes have a typical carbon footprint of 48 metric tons in carbon dioxide emissions per year. In addition, the average amount of water an American family uses in a day is 300 gallons. To get lucky and reduce these numbers, people can take action by making their homes operate on green energy.
Like a clover, here are four affordable and leprechaun-approved ways to green a home:
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats adjust temperatures automatically on a schedule set by homeowners, allowing energy to be used only when needed. They are also convenient and easy to operate because smart thermostats can connect to mobile apps. People can control their homes’ energy usage from the palm of their hand.
LED Lightbulbs
In comparison to regular bulbs, LED lights use up to 90% less energy. Homeowners’ electric bills can be lowered too because these bulbs require less power. LED lightbulbs also have a longer lifespan so they are not replaced as frequently as traditional bulbs. Homeowners can save around $225 in energy costs per year, according to the Department of Energy.
Water-saving Toilets
Water-saving toilets are designed using water velocity instead of water volume to remove waste. These types of toilets only use around one and a half gallons of water per flush, which is five gallons less than a regular toilet.
Low Flow Showerheads
Installing a low flow showerhead can decrease water consumption by at least 40%. Low flow does not mean low pressure. Homeowners will maintain strong water pressure and decrease water waste simultaneously. Heating water for a shower uses significant energy, and low flow shower heads can save up to $50 annually on heating costs.
Homeowners will surely see the pot o’ gold at the end of rainbow in long term savings when implementing these changes.
