Earth Month Inspired Green Tips For Your Home

Ideal Homes is the top builder for energy efficiency and green building in the Oklahoma City Area. In past posts we've talked about all the things we do to make our homes energy efficient from the foundation on up. Here are some things you can do as a home owner once you move in to continue to keep the energy efficiency operating at peak performance and you can add a few of these items to your spring cleaning list. Clean the area around the outdoor parts of your HVAC system - Airflow issues can reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system up to 15% and contributes to carbon pollution. Run your dishwasher with a full load - Use your appliances efficiently and reduce energy and water consumption. This will reduce carbon pollution and your energy bills. Use a programmable thermostat - Since heating and cooling account for almost half your energy bill, a programmable thermostat can help control your energy use and heat and cool any when needed and thus reduce your bills. Use low-flow WaterSense showerheads - The EPA estimates that an average family can save 2900 gallons of water per year with WaterSense showerheads. This cuts down in utility bills both the water you'd use, and the energy it takes to heat that water. Change your light bulbs - If you change your most used light fixtures out to energy efficient bulbs, you will continue to reduce your carbon footprint while saving on your energy bills yearly. Being that it is "Earth Month" it's a great time to pay homage to the earth by reducing your carbon footprint and by being kinder to the environment. With an Ideal Home, it literally starts at home.