I read an interesting article the other day describing how builders who once marketed themselves as eco-friendly and “green” are making it a point to leave those terms out of their advertising. The reason, they claim, is that even though it will same them more money in the long run, potential buyers are often hesitant in putting down extra money upfront to cover the costs of a more eco-friendly home. One local builder, Green Builders, was directly affected posting a loss of $14.8 million in sales in 2008.
If you can’t afford to buy a new eco-friendly or “green” home, I’ve made a list of a few things you can do to your existing home that not only is good for our environment, but will also save you some money in the long run…
- Installing low flush toilets saves you roughly $78.00 a year on your water bill
- Replacing three frequently used lightbulbs with fluorescent bulbs for an average savings of $60.00 a year on your electric bill.
- Keep your water heater thermostat no higher than 120 degrees for an average savings of $30 a year.
- Switching to a tankless water heater can save you up to $390 annually.
- Install a low-flow showerhead for a savings of roughly $30 a year.
- Making sure your home is well insulated can save you about $245 a year.
- Installing double-paned windows lets you keep on average an extra $436 in your savings account per year.