Each year, we use approximately 5 swimming pools worth of water. The Greywater system attempts to cut that number by using waste water from laundry, showers, and dishwashers and recycling it to reuse in toilets, irrigation, outdoor watering. A typical laundry water system costs about $300, with average savings of $60 a year in water use. So in just 5 years you would have broke even financially- while being more cautious of water usage. Other larger systems can run upwards of $2000, however the savings would also increase.
While staying on the electric grid, there are many ways to cut electric use. First being lighting. Switching to CFL bulbs will save 75% Energy in lighting. While the cost is higher per bulb, you can expect to almost break even in costs the first year. Personal devices account for about 5% of energy use, however many items such as televisions, clocks, and computers still pull charge even when they are not in use. To reduce this waste energy think about investing in Smart Power Strips that go into sleep mode when items are not in use and cut the charge. You can expect to pay around thirty dollars for a smart strip and save about two dollars a month in electricity.
Heating and cooling account for approximately 35-45 percent of electric costs. Purchasing a high efficient furnace gives a higher Anualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency Percentage- or AFUE which is a thermal efficiency ratio. Installed- a high efficient furnace costs $3000, and could save about $300 in mild climates. A smart thermostat is something most houses already have, however are not utilized. Programming the thermostat to be five degrees cooler at night and when you’re not home can save 20% of heating and cooling costs. Expect to spend $120, and save $180 in just the first year, offsetting the cost.
If you’re redoing flooring in your house and prefer the esthetics of hardwood flooring, considering bamboo flooring instead could be a cost effective and environmentally friendly option. Bamboo itself costs half of what hardwood flooring costs, and is naturally quickly renewable with bamboo having a very fast growth period. Since pollutants are strong in homes, it’s a good idea to invest the extra $3 in paint to ensure toxic free paints that will save money in air fresheners, purifiers and even trips to the doctor.
There are easy ways to save water consumption in the bathroom. First by the type of toilet. One type is a low flow toilet which simply uses less water per flush, saving twenty three dollars a year. A dual flush toilet takes it a step further by having two separate buttons for a full flush or half flush. Faucets can also be changed to low flow to save $150 per year with shower and hand sinks.
Composting is a great way to recycle used and waste products. By using a rotating composting bin with your scrap foods you can save $50 a year in basic fertilizer while eliminating waste and giving back to nature.
Recycled materials can make a great outdoor deck. While it does cost more than a wood deck upfront the amount of upkeep is far less, and doesn’t require additions such as staining every few seasons. If you spend about 900 dollars on a recycled deck you can expect to save about 140 dollars each year. Planting trees is a great way to save on heating and cooling. Planting deciduous trees in the south creates shade in the summer and natural heat in the winter, while evergreens in the north can reduce wind.
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