Earth Day was established in 1970 to demonstrate support for protecting the environment. Today, Earth Day has grown to a global event, celebrated in more than 192 countries.

There are several things you can do to make your home greener in order to minimize your impact on the environment. Remember, even small steps can make a big difference to help preserve our natural resources. Plus, by reducing your home’s energy and water consumption, you can potentially save money as well.

1. Replace old appliances, like refrigerators, washers and dryers, with energy-efficient models that have the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star label on them. Appliances that are Energy Star qualified use 10% to 50% less energy and water than standard models.
2. Turn down your home’s thermostat in cold weather. Every degree below 68°F can save 3% to 5% in energy consumption.
3. Turn up your home’s thermostat in warmer weather. By setting your thermostat at 78°F, you can save energy and money.
4. Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioners.
5. Keep your home cooler during warmer weather by closing blinds and curtains on windows that bring in more sunlight (typically east and west windows).
6. Clean the air filter on your furnace monthly during heating season.
7. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater to 120°F.
8. Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot.
9. Don’t pre-wash your dishes before placing them in your dishwasher.
10. Install a low-flow toilet to save about 1.9 gallons of water per flush.
11. Put an aerator on all of your faucets to save water consumption.
12. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth to save 4.5 gallons of water.
13. Clean your driveway with a broom instead of the garden hose.
14. Reduce your time in the shower.
15. Fix any leaky faucets.
16. Collect rainwater in barrels to use for watering your houseplants and garden.
17. Switch your incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They use less energy and last 10 times longer.
18. Turn off lights when you leave the room.
19. Make sure you turn off the TV, computer and other items whenever you’re not using them. Unplug chargers when they’re not in use.
20. Open the curtains and blinds to utilize natural light instead of turning on the lights.
21. Plant a garden for fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.
22. Stop using chemical pesticides on your lawn and garden.
23. Recycle paper, plastics, cans and cardboard as well as old electronic devices.

These are just a few things you can do to go green. For more information, visit the EPA’s website.

If you’re looking for a remodeling loan so you can make your home more energy efficient, contact Grandview Lending. We can work with you to find the right loan solution for your needs.