The green house

Embracing an eco-conscious lifestyle is easier than you think - and the home is a great place to start. Energy-efficient upgrades are a great option if you've got some money available for renovations, but there are also baby steps you can take on the path to green living.

Read below to learn how decisions you make now can benefit both Mother Nature and your bank account down the road.

Then check out Natural Resource Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency website for information on grants, rebates, incentives and discounts available across the country.

Your...

Thermostat

Consider lowering your thermostat from the average 21°C. For every 1°C you lower it, you can save 2% on your heating bill.

Furnace

You can reduce energy consumption by approximately 20 percent by replacing your older, less efficient natural gas, propane or oil furnace or boiler with new ENERGY STAR® qualified equipment. Also, don't forget to change your furnace filters regularely. A clean filter will increase your furnace's efficiency by keeping the blower fan clean while improving air flow and decreasing your energy bills.

Light bulbs

Instead of using incandescent bulbs, consider using either fluorescent or tungsten halogen bulbs, High-efficiency fluorescent lighting can reduce lighting energy costs by up to 75 percent. They also last about eight times as long as incandescent.

Toilet

Think about switching your old, water-guzzling toilet with a new low-flow model. Most toilets manufactured prior to the 1980s require 15 to 20 liters of water per flush. New more efficient models use about six liters per flush.

Shower head

Most plumbing supply and hardware stores carry water-saving shower heads. These are affordable, easy to install, and can cut the amount of water you typically use in half without affecting the quality of your shower.

Trash

Make recycling and composting part of your everyday routine by trading in your big under-sink trash bin for three smaller receptacles. According to the Composting Council of Canada, about 50 percent of the total waste stream we send to landfills could actually be composted instead. Check with your local municipality for recycling and composting programs available in your region.

Pipes

Insulate the first two meters of metal hot- and cold- water pipes from the water heater as well as all pipes running through unheated spaces - it can save you up to two percent on your water heating bill and reduce pipe-sweating problems during the summer. Just be sure to talk to a home improvement expert to ensure that you are following proper pipe insulation procedures.

Door and windows

Caulking your window and door frames is an easy way to seal in the heat, keep the cold out and reduce uncomfortable drafts. According to Natural Resources Canada, research indicates that money spent on caulking or weather stripping is usually recovered in one heating season.

Laundry

When buying a new clothes washer, consider purchasing a water-saving model. These newer models can save up to 40 percent of the water used by conventional models. If you can't afford to swap out your old machine, do your part by opting for biodegradable soap, using a cold water wash cycle, and hanging your clothes to dry.

First published in Chatelaine.com's October 2007 issue.
© Rogers Publishing Ltd.