DIY Fixes for a Greener Home

Here are v things you tin can do to brand your everyday DIY efforts greener.

Equally DIYers, we beloved to build, tinker and set things. Here are v things yous can practice to make your everyday DIY efforts greener. They can relieve you coin, brand your abode more free energy-efficient and/or make your habitation healthier and more comfortable.

1. Choose depression- or zippo-VOC paint

Ameliorate the air quality of your home with low- and aught-VOC paints.

That "new paint smell" of traditional paints is really VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These chemicals off-gas (vaporize) into the air and tin can crusade short- and long-term adverse health effects. The proficient news is that nearly major paint manufacturers offer low- and aught-VOC finishing options now, and the quality has improved tremendously over the past few years.

2. Impale free energy vampires

Turn off electronics when they're not in use.

According to the Department of Energy, 75 percent of the electrical apply by domicile electronics occurs when they're turned off. These "energy vampires" suck electricity all mean solar day long—costing you an extra $100 each year. Unplug your electronics or plug them into a power strip, and then turn off the strip. There are likewise "smart strips," which tin shut off ability to electronic devices that aren't being used.

3. Install smarter switches

Motion sensors turn lights on and off, which saves money and energy.

Motion sensors (occupancy sensors) automatically turn lights on and off so you only become (and pay for!) lite when you demand it. Using motility sensors in the garage, exterior and around the firm can save you upwardly to $100 annually in electricity costs. They're convenient in areas similar the laundry room when reaching for a low-cal switch is difficult with your easily total.

4. Build with salvaged construction materials

Recycle, reuse and reclaim building materials.

Apply reclaimed edifice materials in your home projects. It's a bully way to save money and y'all'll prevent useful items from going to a landfill. Many communities have local ReUse Centers, and you can as well cheque salve yards and your local Craig's Listing. Helpful Web sites include build.recycle.net and freecycle.org.

5. Go low-flow

This water-efficient showerhead from Delta uses 36 pct less water simply delivers what feels like a standard 2.5-gpm flow. (Photo courtesy of Delta.)

Showerheads are not simply the second heaviest water user (afterwards toilets) simply as well a major energy eater. That's because 70 pct of the h2o flowing through the head comes from your h2o heater. Switching to a low-flow caput means yous'll reduce h2o consumption and water heating. And new efficient showerheads alter the shape and velocity of the water stream—fifty-fifty the size of the drops—to provide the high-flow feel using merely ane.vi gpm.

— Elisa Bernick, Acquaintance Editor

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Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/diy-fixes-for-a-greener-home/

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