The Effect of Green Houses

By Taylor Atkins

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

If the term "going green" makes you think you're going to be sick, you aren't alone.

With global warming becoming the hottest trend - literally and figuratively - many people are getting annoyed with the ozone, or lack thereof.

But there is a lot more to saving the planet than planting a tree. As it turns out, a number of environmentally friendly products are wallet-friendly, too.

Here is a room-by-room look at how to Al Gore-ize your home and save some cash at the same time.

Kitchen

Because it uses more energy than any other room in the house, the obvious change for a kitchen is to purchase energy-saving appliances.

Eco-friendly refrigerators and dishwashers typically use up to 50 percent less energy and can save 20 percent, or $130, on a families' average monthly energy costs.

If you aren't in the market for new appliances, consider a few changes in your daily groceries. Stop buying bottled water, for instance, because manufacturing the plastic, which isn't easy to recycle, releases harmful gasses.

Instead, buy a water filter system for tap water, such as Brita, for about $15. You'll make up the savings quickly.

Savings: More than $150 a month.

Laundry room

Like the kitchen, the laundry room could benefit from a change in appliances. By switching to a government-approved, eco-friendly washer, a house could save as much as 10,000 gallons of water a year. That's enough water to do another full year of laundry. Plus, energy-efficient washers use 50 percent less energy than traditional models, and the clothes dry quicker, saving even more energy.

But if there's no room in your home for a new washer or dryer, think about drying clothes on the line. It may take a little longer, but it's a 100 percent savings as far as energy goes.

Savings: About $50 a month.

Bedroom

Most people don't spend as much time in the bedroom as the kitchen, but with so many bedrooms, cost-saving measures can add up.

One easy change is to switch off the air conditioner and turn on a ceiling fan. Fans use significantly less energy than central cooling. Plus, switching to a new government-approved, energy- efficient ceiling fan can save up to $25 on cooling costs a year.

While you're up there, change the light bulbs in the ceiling to compact fluorescent lights. Regular light bulbs cost about $3 for a pack of 6 and last 2,000 hours per bulb. Though compact fluorescents cost $8 for a pack of 4, they last more than 10,000 hours at the same wattage. Plus, they use less energy, cutting the cost of your bill.

Thinking of redecorating? Choose a paint that is eco-friendly. These paints help seal in energy.

As for furniture, use recyclable materials that didn't cost the world a tree. Metal furniture is generally cheaper than wood and can be melted down in the future for new uses.

Savings: About $30 a month.

Bathroom

Though the kitchen uses the most energy, the bathroom gives it a run for its money when it comes to water supply.

Purchasing faucets and shower heads that use less water can dramatically impact your water bill.

Putting a 1/2-gallon plastic milk carton full of water in the toilet tank can reduce water use as well. The carton's mass lets the tank fill up more quickly and with less H\u20820. Experts once suggested using a brick, but bricks can cause plumbing problems.

Savings: About $10 a month.

Outside

Though Mother Nature takes care of the great outdoors, there are a few changes homeowners can make to lend her a hand.

The most cost-saving measure you can take outside is to turn a roof green with vegetation. Along with saving on heating and cooling costs, sod roofs last twice as long as a traditional roofs.

Green roofs aren't practical for most homes, however. Instead, move that vegetation down to the ground level. Surrounding a home with more plant life creates a cove around the home, keeping it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Look for vegetation native to the area because it requires less water. In Kansas, native plants include prairie grass and wildflowers, trees, shrubs and vines. For a full list, check out www.kansasnativeplantsociety.org.

Finally, forget about pouring concrete or asphalt for your new driveway or path. Not only will gravel, wood chips or stone be less expensive, but the materials are better for the environment because they soak up urban heat and keep the air cooler and cleaner.

Savings: Planting a tree? Immeasurable.

Information provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the World Wildlife Foundation and the American Society for Landscape Architects.

(c) 2007 Topeka Capital Journal. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.