Start Green With Baby Steps!

The best way to make smart decisions in green living is to do your homework. Web sites like thegreenguide.com and idealbite.com offer proven advice for living green. If you are unsure about where to begin, a recent Realty Times article offers a few simple tips that will make a big difference to the environment and your finances.

Start Simple

If you have recently decided to transition to a green lifestyle, you may want to start by adopting some simple environmentally friendly methods that are well-established.

Recycling is one of the most important things you can do to help the environment and reduce waste. You will be surprised at how much your family can put in the recycling bin instead of the trash bin! Many trash pick-up companies offer a recycling service and may accept a variety of items, from glass to newspaper to office paper and cardboard. You can also keep an eye out when shopping for recycled goods or goods made from recycled materials.

Another change you can make quickly, easily and cheaply is to replace all of your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. These newer bulbs are more expensive ($5 to $10 per bulb), but they last up to 10 years and can save you up to $30 in energy costs over the bulb’s lifetime. They more than pay for themselves!

Green Building

Home buyers looking to build a new home should search for a builder that is experienced in green construction. You can also encourage your builder to use environmentally friendly products, from flooring to paint to insulation.

If you have the luxury to choose features on your home, try to choose energy-efficient features like tankless water heaters, solar panels and composite windows. All of these may be more expensive upfront, but they will ultimately save you money in energy costs, will help your resale value and will help the environment. Check out buildinggreen.com for additional resources on how to reduce your footprint when you build a home.

Green Remodeling

Many homeowners are considering remodeling their homes as an alternative to selling in today’s market. When you remodel your home, you can make choices that have minimal impact to the environment. The site mentioned earlier, buildinggreen.com, would be a great resource to check out options like “low-flo” toilets and tankless water heaters.

If you are remodeling your kitchen, consider choosing countertops or tile made from recycled materials, like recycled glass. This fast-growing market offers consumers many options to fit their tastes and style needs.

Don’t have the time or money to do a full remodel? You can make a few small changes in your home that will be immediately beneficial to the environment, such as installing a “low-flo” showerhead or using a PVC-free shower curtain.