Green Guide to Heating and Cooling

These days, going "green" has really become akin to "saving money." Practically any eco-minded improvement you decide to make in your home will recoup it's cost at some point in the future - all while saving you money in the meantime. And while saving money is important, conserving our planet for future generations is just as important. Utilizing sustainable materials and reducing our overall "footprint" on the earth is not as difficult as one might think - it can be as simple as air-drying your clothes outside. Taking a closer look at how you heat and cool your home is a great place to start "going green." Heating and cooling costs typically account for more than 50% of your energy bill, so projects like upgrading your old heating and cooling equipment to newer, more efficient units, adding insulation, and installing ENERGY STAR-rated windows are, in my opinion, endeavors worth endeavoring. Some improvements can be expensive, but many are relatively inexpensive or even free and include:

• Lowering the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Setting your programmable thermostat to comfortable temperatures - a comfortable temperature being as low as comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer.
• Fixing air gaps and leaks in windows and doors.
• Adding insulation around your water heater and the room the water heater is situated.
• Installing a ceiling fan to push heat down (heat rises).

Going green in heating and cooling:

BC Hydro: Cooling and Heating Guide

EERE: Heating and Cooling

ASI: Green Heating and Air Conditioning Energy Saving Tips

The Daily Green: These Homeowners Pay Almost Nothing for Heating and Cooling

Planet Green: Heating and Cooling Materials

Energy Guide: Heating and Cooling Tips

Focus On Energy: Heating and Cooling