Go green to see more green

Homeowners overwhelmingly agree it’s important to reduce their effect on the environment. Yet, research by Ipsos Reid found more than three-quarters of respondents would only spend more money to make their homes environmentally-friendly if they could make it back in savings.

Fortunately, saving money and reducing greenhouse gases can go hand in hand.

Here are some ideas  to go green while spending less on energy bills:

 

• Replace 12 75-watt incandescent bulbs with 25-watt compact fluorescent bulbs to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 1,200 pounds and use up to 75 per cent less electricity.
• Replace an old air conditioner, furnace or boiler with an Energy Star model to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 3,000 pounds and save up to 15 per cent in energy costs.
• Replace a refrigerator that’s more than seven years old with an Energy Star model to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 500 pounds and reduce energy use and costs (vs. an older model) by up to 40 per cent.