Top Three DIY Green Projects

Green home improvement projects can help to decrease your carbon footprint on our planet. Not only do they help save the planet, they also save you money. That's right; you can save energy by spending a little money on these top three green home improvement projects.

Change your hot-water heater. By changing from an existing tank water heater to a tank-less hot-water heater, you can cut your water heating bill nearly in half. Best of all, you can get a government tax break and possibly a grant if you combine several green projects into one. A tank-less hot-water heater heats water for specific areas of the home. For instance you'll need one for each large water consuming area of your home. The water is heated only as it drawn out of the tap, similar to a coffee machine. This saves money by the tank-full.

DIY Tip: If you're not an experienced plumber, it's probably not a good idea to try this out yourself. Tank-less hot-water heaters can be very complicated. It's best to call in the professionals on this one. You get to do the entire demo for sweat equity.

Install radiant underfloor heating. Installing radiant underfloor heating in places where tile, wood, vinyl or other flooring options are available is simple and efficient. Not only do you get an underfloor heating system that can be as simple as a great big electric blanket, you get a new floor to go along with it. By installing an energy efficient underfloor heating system you will lower your overall heating costs of the home by dispersing heat evenly allowing it to rise from the floor to the ceiling, creating a more efficient method of single room heating.

DIY Tip: Installing the flooring and the radiant underlayment can be easily done by most homeowners, if the job is small. Don't get in over your head and know your limits. It's easy to get in over your head on this project.

Air-sealing your home. You may not know it, but you might be losing hundreds of dollars each year from escaping or intruding outdoor air. Heat-loss and gain are common among older homes. The reason is simple. Energy was cheaper in those days.

Air-sealing your home is the best DIY green remodeling project because it can be done almost by anyone who can work a caulk gun and adjust doors. Check for air leaks and caulk, fill, fix or replace those areas in which air loss occurs. Remember this is within the home, not in attics or crawlspaces unless they are conditioned. Sealing up your attic or crawlspace is a completely different job and may actually damage your home if not done correctly.

DIY Tip: Use a lit candle around closed doors and windows to find where air loss may be suspected. Close all the doors and windows and turn on the heat or air conditioning. When the candle flickers, you've got air loss.