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When it comes to going green, what a better place to start than right in your own home! Minor changes can add up to major savings, while at the same time making your home more healthy, comfortable, and valuable! A study published in The Appraisal Journal showed that energy efficiency upgrades can increase home value by more than the cost of the upgrade, especially in the face of rising utility costs. The study found that home value increases by $20 for every $1 in reduction in annual utility bills. Below are 5 things that can be done quickly, easily, and inexpensively that will allow you to take advantage of the many benefits of “going green”!

1. Install a programmable thermostat – These can be purchased for under $50.00 and can result in a 20% reduction in energy usage. This is possible by programming the thermostat so that your heater and air conditioner run less when you are asleep or at work.
2. Replace your light bulbs – Compact fluorescent light bulbs, also known as CFLs, use approximately 75% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb, and last 10 times longer. A 27 watt compact fluorescent bulb gives of the same light as a standard 100 watt incandescent bulb, yet it will burn 10,000 hours longer!
3. Add houseplants – You can cleanse the air in your home by simply adding certain types of houseplants. NASA tests show that common houseplants remove toxins through the natural process of photosynthesis - as they take up carbon dioxide, they also pick up airborne pollutants through their leaves. Examples of such plants include English ivy, peace lily, golden pothos, and spider plants.
4. Install ceiling fans – Ceiling fans are an inexpensive way to reduce energy costs, while at the same time making your home more comfortable. Multi-speed and reversible motor ceiling fans can save you 25- 40% on your electrical bills in summer and up to 10% on heating bills in the winter. The airflow produced creates a wind-chill effect, making you “feel” cooler. In the winter, reverse the motor and operate the ceiling fan at low speed in the clockwise direction. This produces a gentle updraft, which forces warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space. Remember to adjust your thermostat when using your ceiling fan — additional energy and dollar savings could be realized with this simple step! Keep in mind that a ceiling fan cools or heats the body not the room, so for added energy savings turn the fan off when you leave the room.
5. Install low flow faucets - Low flow faucets have aerators in them to cut your water usage. These faucets use as much as 40% less water than conventional faucets, or about 2.5 gallons per minute compared to 4. For additional water savings, turn the water off when shaving and brushing your teeth, and save approximately 500 gallons a month!

When possible, purchase products that have the ENERGY STAR label, as they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy. According to the ENERGY STAR web site, through the purchase of ENERGY STAR LABELED products, Americans saved enough energy in 2007 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 27 million cars — all while saving $16 billion on their utility bills.