Five Tips for Making Your Home Green Without Breaking the Bank

The green trend is sweeping the world as people seek to reduce their impact on the environment. There is a lot of great technology to help you do this, but much of it is still cost prohibitive for the average consumer. Just because you cannot afford solar panels, a wind turbine and a new plug-in electric hybrid vehicle does not mean that you can't go green. There are several small changes you can make at home that are affordable, and may even save you money over time. This guide provides a list of five steps you can take to make your home a little greener.

Rechargeable Batteries - Batteries are an essential part of modern living. Our cameras, remotes, toys, flashlights, smoke detectors and many other devices all require batteries. Traditional batteries are replaced and often discarded improperly in landfills where they can pollute the land and water. If you use batteries, switch to the rechargeable variety. They cost a little more up front, but over time they will pay for themselves. Further, they can be charged over and over again, reducing the number of batteries thrown away. Rechargeable batteries and chargers also make excellent gifts.

Turn Out the Lights - Unfortunately, humans have poor night vision and need the assistance of lighting to see in the dark. This does not mean that every light in the house needs to be turned on while you are awake at night. Only leave the light on in the room you are using and turn off all others when not in use. Leaving lights on in these rooms is like throwing money out the window.

Turn Off the Water - When brushing your teeth, be sure to turn off the water when the brush is in your mouth. This will add up to many gallons saved if everyone in the house follows the rule. Similarly, try to take shorter showers.

Unplug Unused Electronics - Electronic devices use energy as long as they are plugged in whether turned on or not. Standby mode still uses energy. When not using electronics, especially when you are away from home, be sure to unplug all appliances that do not need a constant flow of electricity to function properly.

Limit Heater and Air Conditioner Usage - Be sure to always dress appropriately for the season. Simply wearing an extra layer in the winter or wearing cooler clothing in the summer allows you to be comfortable in a greater range of temperatures, and limits the amount of energy used to power furnaces and air conditioners.