Frugal Tips for New Homeowners also Happen to be Green
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada 
on 10.20.08
Green as Side-Effect of Saving Money, and Vice-Versa
So I was reading The Simple Dollar, a personal finance blog, and stumbled on an article about 18 Things a New Homeowner Should Do Immediately to Save Money.
It just so happens that the very same tips that can help someone save money are also very green. In fact, out of the 18 tips, 16 are directly green, and the last 2 could be considered green indirectly. Maybe there are some you haven't done yet. See the list below.
Here is the complete list. For the details, you'll have to go check out the article at The Simple Dollar.
- Check the insulation in your attic - and install more if needed.
- Lower the temperature on your hot water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius).
- Toss a water heater blanket over that hot water heater as well.
- Install ceiling fans in most rooms.
- Wrap exposed water pipes with insulation.
- Install a programmable thermostat - and learn how to use it.
- Hang a clothes rack in your laundry room (or, better yet, an outdoor clothesline).
- Check all toilets and under-sink plumbing for leaks or constant running - and check faucets, too.
- Replace your air handling filter.
- Make sure the vents in all rooms are clear of dust and obstructions.
- Mark any cracks in the basement with dated masking tape.
- Install CFL and LED light bulbs in some locations.
- Choose energy efficient appliances, even if you have to pay more up front.
- Set up your home electronics with a SmartStrip or two.
- Air-seal your home.
- Plant shade trees near your house.
- Take advantage of tax benefits for any improvements you make.
- Develop a home maintenance checklist - and run through it for the first time.
For more tips on how to go green, which can also save you some money, check out our guides.
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Planting trees is definitely something you want to do as early as possible.. takes a while.
This is a good sign, that being green need not be the reason for doing things that are green.
Thomas Friedman wrote about the idea that we'll know we've really gone green when we can stop using the word green- the same way we no longer talk about civil rights or woman's suffrage except when we're confronted with examples when these are violated.
Yes, it's about time people realise that being green is not about buying overpriced all natural pet products dyed in all natural colors found in the forests of Amazon and wearing "vegan clothes", but mostly reducing your energy consumption and producing less waste. And save some money while at it - a win-win scenario.
> Toss a water heater blanket over that hot water heater
A modern water heater should be well-insulated already.
For older units, at least one highly regarded plumbing company in my area (Boulder County, Colorado) says blankets are bad and that they'll cause problems.