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Ways to make your home green

By Amy Patterson

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We are always on the lookout for tips to make homes more energy efficient. 

And while simple tips like using less water and bumping your thermostat up or down a degree can make a difference, there are also long term investments that you can consider that can make your home much more efficient for years to come.

Water flow – Water usage is a costly item for homeowners. In addition to working to conserve water, consider installing low-flow plumbing fixtures. These fixtures are not expensive or complicated to install; and according to Energy Star, they can save homeowners up to $145 per year on electricity costs.

Lighting – Switching over to compact fluorescent light bulbs may require a more pricey up-front investment, however, each bulb can save you up to $40 during the life of the bulb. They also can last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs.

Thermostat – A programmable thermostat allows homeowners to reset their homes' temperature while they are sleeping or away from their home – it has an average annual savings of $150.

http://www.zillow.com/blog/green-home-updates-save-money-174357/

Tags: Green Living, Home Loans, Money, Savings, Electricity