4 Simple Eco-Friendly Ways to Improve Your Home

Note from Sweet Greens: The following post on simple, eco-friendly ways to improve your home was submitted by Hollie Downes. Hollie is a green journalist for MortgageLoans.com. She blogs about simple green ways to improve your home. 
 
These days, many people are concerned about global warming and the environment. They mistakenly believe that they can’t make an impact, or that it is already too late to stop the devastating environmental effects from pollution. Fortunately, this isn’t the case. It is never too late to go green, and the best way to begin is to make some simple, inexpensive changes in your home. Read on to learn my favorite simple, green ways to improve your home.

#1: Get a Bright Idea
The first way you can go green and save money at the same time is to change all of your incandescent light bulbs to LED bulbs – once the incandescent bulbs burn out of course! While the LED bulbs are more expensive to purchase, they last 22 years, are much better for the environment and will save you hundreds of dollars each month.

#2: Do a Quick Switch
Consider switching your energy plan to a “green” or 100% renewable plan. Many utility companies offer these plans, and the rate difference can be as little as half a cent per kWh. Your total bill could go up as little as $5 in one month to have your house powered by renewable energy. This is a small cost that makes a big different in the environment, and also helps to create jobs in the green energy field.

#3: Get Recycling
If you are not recycling, now is the time to start. Most cities and towns recycle at least some materials, and larger cities may take all manner of recyclables. Go online or call your recycling center to find out which materials they are currently accepting and if curbside recycling is available. Some centers will even provide you with recycling bins free of charge when you sign up for the recycling service. Even if your city does not offer curbside recycling, all you need is a few bins to store the recyclables until you are ready to take them to the recycling center. Some recycling centers even pay for some materials such as; metals and cardboard.

#4: Get the Money You Need for Improvements
If you are worried that you can’t afford to make even these simple changes to your home or lifestyle,  there are energy efficient mortgage loans that are offered through private lenders as well as through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. These refinance loans allow you to make improvements on your home to make it more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

As you can see, there is no reason not to start living a greener lifestyle in your home. Today is a great day to begin living in a more environmentally friendly way. The change that we need to fix our environment begins with each of us!

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