| Are you wondering what all this going green stuff | | | | If your home is green and using less energy, |
| really means? Well, I was. The term going green | | | | water and natural resources, it will not only save |
| seems to be getting used more and more | | | | you money each month in your utility bills, it will |
| frequently these days as more companies want | | | | also provide you with additional tax benefits and |
| to get in on this new trend. Okay fine, but what | | | | savings each year. The federal government as |
| does it really mean and why should it be so | | | | well as some local and state governments are |
| important to me? In seeking an easy and | | | | now offering more tax breaks and other |
| understandable answer what I've discovered is | | | | incentives for going green in your home which can |
| that learning how to go green in your home is | | | | really save you money. As well with a green |
| basically a new way of thinking and a learning | | | | home, you have the additional benefit of being |
| process which really does have important benefits | | | | able to make more money because when it |
| for improving your life and that of the | | | | comes time to sell your home, a home that is |
| environment. | | | | green will have a higher market value than a |
| Here are just a few of the important benefits of | | | | non-green home. |
| going green in your home you should know: | | | | 3. It's healthier for yourself & environment: |
| 1. Consumes less energy, water & natural | | | | Most of us are unaware that the common |
| resources: | | | | household cleaning products, disinfectants, |
| Topping the list of energy consumption inside our | | | | deodorizers, and paints we use actually contain |
| homes is heating and cooling, which makes up | | | | very dangerous chemicals and carcinogens that |
| approximately 20% of the U.S.'s yearly energy | | | | are toxic and poisonous and can affect the health |
| use. Adding to this list are electronic and household | | | | of ourselves, our family and our pets. These toxic |
| appliances which still consume energy even while | | | | chemicals are not just dangerous pollutants inside |
| turned off called "phantom loads". Most of this | | | | our home, they are equally as dangerous to our |
| energy is derived from greenhouse gas producers | | | | outside environment where they can seep into |
| such as oil and gas which are the major | | | | our rivers, lakes and streams and contaminate |
| contributors to global warming which we see | | | | the ground water that we, as well as animals, |
| taking place. However, a green home can actually | | | | depend on to drink. A green home is a home that |
| reduce its energy use up to 40% and its water | | | | uses natural, non-toxic materials and products |
| use by 50% thus reducing its impact and carbon | | | | which is healthier and safer for yourself and the |
| footprint on the environment. | | | | environment. |
| 2. Saves money & makes money: | | | | |