“Green” is the word of the day. Everything we read today relates to saving energy, trees, and our environment. Stores are dedicating themselves to this concept and many consumers are embracing the idea and beginning to make major adjustments to their living habits.

Sometimes it is the simple things that need to be adjusted in your lives. Some of the current solutions are centuries old. Adding awning to your home to save energy is still a great idea. Drying clothes outdoors also conserves energy while producing a wonderful scent for your clothing and linens. Solar water heaters are returning from decades ago. Eventually, there will be no such thing as “green” building. Building itself will define ‘green” building as the only acceptable way to go.

A major cost saver available to everyone today is an attic ventilator which controls evening air circulating into a home and lowering cooling costs. It is computer operated so the homeowner does not have to adjust windows, etc. to make the system work properly.

Green products include insulation sprays made of recycled newspapers which are very effective in today’s homes.

Think “green” and join the majority of homeowners who are updating their properties to meet today’s standards.

Saving both money and energy is definitely a winning combination. A few simple changes in your life and you can easily accomplish both. Between the current economy and the move towards “green”, this is the ideal time to look around at little things that can help us accomplish our goals.

When finished, turn the computer off. This has the potential to save you up to $60 per year.

When leaving home for several hours, consider adjusting the thermostat to realize a savings in heating and cooling. This could result in a savings of approximately 10% off your heating costs.

Using the microwave more frequently and the oven less, can result in a substantial savings. A microwave uses about 1/5^th the energy of an oven or stovetop.

Unplugging electronics and adding power strips for televisions and computers could reap a savings of approximately 5% off your energy costs.

Lowering the temperature of your hot water heater can help cut costs. There would be a 3% to 5% difference in cost for every ten degrees it is lowered. Try to live with it set at 120 degrees.

Consider investing in some small changes that can also save on energy and expenses:

Change one frequently used incandescent bulb to a compact fluorescent. Of course, if you change more than one, the savings will increase.

Check air leakage around your home and reseal windows and doors with new caulking and weather stripping where needed.

Replace traditional holiday lights with LED and the savings can be up to 90% of the cost of electric for your display.