If you are heading over your budget during the holidays or want to tighten up your spending on your home and yard in 2013, making some changes could cut your energy and water usage expenses.
Jim Hackler, an Atlanta writer who directed Atlanta’s EarthCraft House program (a voluntary green building certification program originally created in 1999 by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association and Southface) and the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes program, shared five tips for putting new green habits into practice in the new year.
Some ideas also could point you in the direction of possible last-minute Christmas stocking stuffers or gifts for new or existing homeowners or renters.
1. Take quicker showers
Install a shower timer, which will signal when your 5 minutes (or longer, depending on the settings) are up, or use a mechanical timer that will slow the flow of water, or even shut it off. Too often, especially in the winter, people get in a hot shower and mindlessly stand under the water, said Hackler, who describes himself as “The Urbane Environmentalist.” “We are not being as quick as we can be,” he said. Prices for timers range from less than $5 to more than $100, depending on their capabilities.
2. Switch out the shower heads
If buying a new home, make sure your builder has installed a low-flow shower head (check with your county to see about its requirements). If you are living in or purchasing an older home, replace the existing shower heads with low-flow shower heads that can reduce water consumption. For example, the Waterpik EcoFlow showerheads lower water consumption and can save up to $100 on bills (based on two 10-minute showers a day), according to waterpik.com. $19.99-$51.99 for fixed mount and handheld versions, with different spray settings. Sold at waterpik.com and retailers including the Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target and Wal-Mart.
3. Use drought-tolerant plants
If you need to update your landscaping, be smart about your choices. Use drought-tolerant plants and make other lawn maintenance choices to save money and time on watering, mowing and fertilizing. One eco-friendly lawn product is Pearl’s Premium, a drought-tolerant grass seed that doesn’t need chemicals or pesticides. It grows slower, which means it only needs cutting once a month, according to the company. $35.95 for a 5-pound bag, sold at pearlspremium.com and homedepot.com.
4. Beg, borrow (but don’t) steal
Look around your neighborhood to see if other homeowners are expanding their deck and digging up their old boxwoods or other plants or trees and don’t plan to reuse them. Another route is to reach out to renovators and ask if they will donate plants and trees from their projects.
5. Reuse wasted shower water
Little efforts can add up, so Hackler suggests keeping a watering can or empty gallon milk container by the shower. “Throw it in there when you turn on the water to have it warm up,” Hackler said. Then you will have water for your thirsty plants.
