I think it is safe to say that most of us wouldn’t mind saving a little money here and there and going green can help achieve that goal. However, this is not a “make money quick” type deal. Being environmentally friendly usually means paying a little more upfront but saving huge in the long run. So where do you start? Well, with so many options and opinions out there it can get a bit overwhelming. Let us help you out!
Small Changes = Big Impact
Reducing the pollution in your home is incredibly important, especially with pets and kids. However, this doesn’t 
mean scrubbing everything you own with vinegar and bleach. In fact, by simply taking your shoes off outside, you can cut down on all that gross stuff by nearly 85%. The reason behind this is because 30%-40% of indoor contaminants are brought in from the outside. Pair that with an awesome cleaning game and you are going to have one healthy home.
Another small change you can make is set the max temp. for your water to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn off the lights when you leave a room, and use a programmable thermostat to prevent heating and cooling your home when you’re not there. Just make sure you stick to this or you won’t yield much of a result.
Greenwashed
Ever since advertisers found out that they can call a product “green,” mark up the price and people will still buy the 
product, trust me they are taking advantage of that. “Greenwashing” is basically when companies display a fake concern for our health and the planet and claim that their products are environmentally friendly when they are the opposite. When you read the label you see that, while there are safe ingredients, the formula may also contain harmful substances like carcinogen, allergens, endocrine disruptors, and/or neurotoxins.
The Environmental Working Group provides a list of questionable ingredients that may be in your cleaning materials… so check your label!
The Power of Landscaping
Sometimes people are too concerned with the latest environmentally friendly lightbulb to remember that your home’s landscaping is incredibly important as well. The most eco-friendly backyard features plant and grass species that are native to the area where you live. They thrive without the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and require less water and maintenance. If you replace your traditional grass with native grasses you will use 50% – 70% less water. Meaning you will save about $3,500 and 60 hours a year on watering.
Being Green To Save Green
Investing in eco-improvements can save homeowners money and might even be able to get some of that cash 
back, thanks to the range of tax exemptions, rebates, and discounts available for many green investments. The everyday energy savings can be significant as well. For example, by strategically planting trees around your home, air-conditioning costs can be reduced 15%- 50%. Also by changing one light bulb to an Energy Star bulb can save you between $30 to $80 over the bulb’s lifetime.
If you are interested in getting started, the best thing you can do is find out where you are going wrong. Professionals recommend doing a home energy audit. This is when professionals show you how much of an impact you could see by adding insulation, solar panels, or energy-efficient windows.
LEED- Certified Homes
If you are looking for a move-in ready option you can always buy a home with all the energy save tech you need. Just be sure to look for the LEED-certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is used as the benchmark in green building by the U.S. Green Building Council. These houses may cost more, but if you are planning on living there for many years to come you will get that money back in savings.
