Going green isn’t just a trend in central PA — it’s becoming a lifestyle choice for many people who want to make sure they run an eco-friendly house. What you might not realize is that being greener can pay off — and surprisingly well, too, in some cases.
Check out the many ways that you can be a little greener this summer and lower your electric bills, saving you dollars in the process.
Green Ways to Save Green
Below are seven ways that you can save some of your hard-earned green by choosing green home solutions:
- Start cleaning your house with homemade green products. Most of us spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars each year on chemical-laden cleaning products. In many cases, those products can be substituted with purer products that have fewer ingredients, are cheap to make and work just as well. You won’t be releasing toxins into the air, and you won’t be sacrificing the cleanliness of your green home.
- Plant and grow a garden. Central PA’s summer weather is ideal for growing many fruits and vegetables. Rather than spending lots of money buying your favorites at the grocery store every week, try your hand at gardening. Even if you’ve never grown anything before, you might be surprised at how easy it can be when you have the right plants and proper soil! As an added bonus, you can start a compost pile to add rich soil to your garden while lowering your garbage output.
- Use your ceiling fans, or install some. Ceiling fans can help circulate the air and make you feel cooler on those hot summer days. Rather than turning up the central air conditioner in your house, you can get the same effect with ceiling fans.
- On the hottest part of the day, close the curtains in rooms bathed in sunlight. This will help them retain some of the coolness and make them more comfortable. You can lower your electric bills by not having to run the fans as frequently, or by operating small, personal fans.
- Replace your appliances and heating and cooling equipment with energy-efficient models. These might also be eligible for tax rebates. Ask your accounting professional so you get the maximum benefit from investing in eco-friendlier items.
- Stop buying things you don’t need. Make this summer the year to declutter. Give or sell your unwanted, usable things and downsize. Resist making any purchases that don’t add true value to your daily living. Spending the whole summer being very mindful of every dollar you’re spending will help you see where you can make cutbacks that you’ll never miss!
- Consider downsizing. This is a bigger step, but for some families, it can be worth it. Do you really need your larger house? Or would you be just as comfortable and happy in a smaller residence? A smaller house could reduce your energy bill costs, as well as change your yearly home owners insurance premiums.
From small changes to big life decisions, there are so many ways to go green this summer and save money in the process! If you have any questions during your green summer about any kind of home owners’ insurance, please call Strock Insurance on the west or east shores.
