Living green in 2008

Simple steps to reduce environmental footprint at home

As new year’s resolutions go, living green and saving green have rapidly moved up the list. Americans are resolving to be more environmentally responsible in 2008 and national home builders are keeping pace, designing houses that are energy-conscious from the ground up.

Insulation, properly sized HVAC systems, low-e windows, radiant barriers and fiberglass doors help to reducing a home’s environmental footprint, but you ultimately have the greatest impact. There are a number of ways to reduce a home’s energy consumption, most of which are relatively painless for homeowners.

Here are some tips to help you keep you green your home:

Unplug it. On average, 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed in “phantom loads” while the products are switched off. Avoid losing electricity to phantom loads by unplugging items like home entertainment system components, charges, hair dryers and small kitchen appliances when not in use.

Light the way. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs. Replacing a 60-watt incandescent with a 13-watt CFL can save you at least $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb. It's one of the easiest ways you can save electricity and money.

And manufacturers, including GE, have recently begun to make CFLs to pair with dimmer switches — good news for those who like the ambiance of controlled lighting and bonus of saving energy.

Keep your cool. Heating and cooling typically consumes more energy than any other system in the home, but a few small changes can add up to big savings. Start by installing a programmable thermostat and set it to 68 degrees F in the winter and 78 degrees F in the summer. Program the thermostat to adjust the house temperature at bedtime or when no one is home. Change filters regularly and keep air vents and registers clean and clear of furniture, rugs or drapes.

Kitchen savings. To save energy and water, run only full loads in the dishwasher and, whenever possible, let the dishes air dry. Before placing leftovers in the refrigerator, let the food cool. Putting hot food in the refrigerator raises the temperature of the refrigerated air, forcing the appliance to work harder.

Laundry lessons. Washers and dryers have their own ways to maximize efficiency. When doing laundry, wash full loads in cold water and clean the dryer filter after every load to improve air circulation. Use the cool down cycle to allow clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.

Nurture nature. Landscaping can help lower a home’s energy use by serving as a windbreak or sun shade. Planting deciduous trees — ones that shed their leaves annually — near windows provides shade in summer, keeping the house cool. In the winter months, the bare trees allow sunlight to shine through the windows, providing a natural source of home heating.