Iowa Homeowners: Make Your Home More Green With These Fixes

A growing trend in Iowa is green home renovations. These simple, and often affordable, fixes can greatly reduce your energy consumption and monthly bills. To start, schedule a home energy audit.

A professional will evaluate your heating, ventilation and cooling systems (HVAC) and inspect your foundation, walls and roof, ductwork, water heating system, doors and windows and even your appliances. Then, they'll likely suggest some of the following improvements.

Install Solar Panels

Installing solar panels is surprisingly affordable. And between monthly savings and a yearly tax credit, they’ll pay for themselves quickly. Talk to a solar panel professional about grid-connected, off-grid and supplemental energy systems. And, if you don’t want panels on your roof, there are garage door options to consider.

Want to go green? Find a home energy auditor near you.

Switch To Geothermal Heating

Geothermal heating and cooling systems reduce fossil fuel consumption by using constant underground temperature to control your home’s climate. They don’t use any electricity, so the greenhouse gasses emitted by your system will drop by 90 percent compared to traditional electric systems.

Redo Your Home’s Insulation

Chances are, the insulation in your walls is whatever was put into your home when it was built. Depending on the age of your home, this can be a long stretch. The average cost of blown-in insulation is under $1,500.

Plus, you’ll quickly recoup that amount in utility costs. To be especially eco-friendly, opt for recycled cellulose insulation made from old newspapers.

Install New Windows

If you have old, drafty windows, 25 percent of your home’s heating and cooling energy is literally going right out them. The average cost of installing new windows is around $5,000, but you can save up to $500 per year while reducing your carbon footprint.

Upgrade Appliances

Appliances made before the 1990s use a ton more energy than contemporary models. Look for Energy Star–rated appliances. An Energy Star refrigerator, for example, can save $270 in utility costs over five years. And, you can get an income tax credit!

Replace Your Toilet

Dual-flush and low-flow toilets can reduce water use by 67 percent compared to traditional toilets. A dual-flush toilet uses different amounts of water for solid waste or liquid waste. Don’t want to invest in a new model? Repair the one you have so that the flapper valve doesn’t corrode and cause leaks/increased consumption.

Install A Water Barrel

A rain barrel can effortlessly collect water that rolls off your roof during a storm. Even in dry climates, an inch of rainfall on a 1,000-square-foot roof can fill your barrel. Then, use the water to tend to your lawn and plants.

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