Greenbook: A Local Guide to Chesapeake Living - Issue 3 | Page 41

outside, as well as provides the
convenience to set different
temperatures at different times, seven
days a week. Some models even come
equipped with Wi-Fi so you can control
the temperature of your house even
when you are not home.
2. Go Low-Flow in the Shower
Wasted water during baths and
showers is like washing money down
the drain. Replacing old and outdated
showerheads with new low-flow
models is a great way to tackle
the monthly utility bill and increase
the efficiency of your hot water
consumption. Plus it’s a great
solution for renters! New spray
shower heads use no more than two
and a half gallons per minute and
provide excellent water pressure.
This simple switch could reduce your
annual water bill by upwards of $100,
depending on frequency. An added
bonus is that low-flow showerheads
help the environment by conserving
fresh water.

Some homeowners spend hundreds
of dollars on air purifiers to reduce
allergens in air. An alternative to this
costly investment is placing houseplants around the home. Not only do
they remove toxins from the air, but
they also add a little extra color to a
room and make it feel more warm and
comfortable. Perfectly placed houseplants can help improve air quality
and aesthetics throughout the
entire house. Houseplants are a great
addition for renters because they
add so much, cost so little, and can
be easily moved to the next location.  

6. Dodge the Draft
Even though homes have doors and
windows to keep out the elements,
as a house ages, the hot and cold air
from outside often creeps in, creating
drafts and gusts. Weatherproofing
a home is an inexpensive and simple
task that can save up to 15 percent
on heating and cooling costs. For
about $15, you can purchase some of
the supplies you need to weatherproof
doors and windows. There are a
3. Make an Extra Payment
variety of weatherproofing products,
An easy tip that can save thousands
including v strip, felt, and foam tape,
of dollars in the long run is to make
so make sure to do some research
an extra mortgage payment annually. ahead of time to see what your
Over the course of a 30-year loan,
specific home will need. You can also
one additional mortgage payment per get a home energy audit to discover
year can save a considerable amount
ways to improve your home’s interior
of money on annual interest payments. quality. 
4. Unplug Your Appliances
This may come as a surprise, but
turning off electronics does not mean
that you are eliminating their draw
from the electric grid. Many electronic
gadgets and appliances, especially
computer monitors, consume power
even when they're turned off, but
still plugged into an outlet. This
phenomenon is known as “phantom
power” and can cost you hundreds of
dollars annually. By unplugging your
appliances, or using a smart power
strip, you can save an estimated five
to ten percent on your monthly electric
bill.

7. Do It Yourself
Redecorating a home or apartment
is a great way to make a home feel
new again. Professional decorators
and painters often come with a very
hefty price. With so many resources
available around the web, jumping
on the DIY bandwagon is easy,
inexpensive, and fun. There are
many DIY workshops located at local
hardware stores like Home Depot and
Lowe’s. Projects around the house,
such as painting, can save hundreds
of dollars while transforming your
space. Projects can also provide hours
of fun and entertainment.

5. Use House Plants to Purify Air
With air pollution levels steadily
increasing, trying to improve the
quality of air inside the home has
become a trend across the country.

8. Install Ceiling Fans 
Cooling a home is traditionally the
most expensive part of running a
home during the hot summer months.
An air conditioner uses 3,500 watts of

energy, while a ceiling fan only uses
60 watts of energy. A new ceiling fan
costs anywhere from $50 to $200 and,
on average, costs seven dollars per
month to run. Decreasing the use of
an air conditioner and increasing the
use of a ceiling fan can save money
and keep a family just as comfortable.
Ceiling fans can even be useful during
the winter months by setting the fan
to run in a clockwise direction. The
reverse motion pushes warm air down
from the ceiling, keeping everyone
warm.   
9. Shop Your Home
Everyone loves to spruce up their
space by buying bright new pillows
and brand new artwork. Before you
buy new accessories, take a walk
around the house and see if there are
small budget-friendly tweaks you can
make. Rearranging furniture and
lighting is a quick and free way to
recreate an entire room. Move a desk
in front of a window or position a sofa
toward the fireplace instead of the
television during the winter to change
the feel of any space. Switching
decorations between rooms is another
free way to make two spaces feel new
and different. Shopping your home
before heading to the store can save
you a lot of money! 
10. Cut Back on Washing and
Dryin