12 Green Repair Ideas

12 Green Repair Ideas
Compiled for you by Paul’s Quality Home Repair, Inc.

1. Drafts and Air Leaks
“Perhaps one of the easiest ways to save money around
the house is to seal off drafts, which can reduce your
energy bills 5 to 30 percent, according to the U.S.
Department of Energy. With today's heating and cooling
prices, that amounts to real money.
Check for window drafts by carefully holding an incense
stick up to each frame and watch the smoke to see if
there is a leak. (Be sure to remove all curtains first to
avoid a fire.) Then use caulking or weather-stripping to
seal the cracks. Make sure you cover any pipe outlets or
cracks in the foundation. Also roll up an old towel, or buy
or make a cute 'draft snake' to put over the crack in the
bottom of doors (at the 'sill' or 'saddle').”
Read more: Green Remodeling - Money Saving Green
Remodeling Ideas for Your Home - The Daily Green

2. Fix Water Leaks
“A dripping faucet or pipe joint is more than just an
auditory annoyance. Besides driving you crazy, it can
really add up to substantial water waste. One faulty
faucet wastes 3 gallons of water per day, reports the U.S.
Geological Survey.
Sometimes a leak is just a matter of a quick tighten,
which almost anyone can do with pliers or a pipe wrench.
Other times you get befuddled, or have a leak that is too
hard to get to. In those cases it is worth calling a
plumber, because not only will you see lower water bills
over time, but you decrease the risk of mold, which is a
serious threat both to home value and indoor air quality.
It may be a cliché, but every drop does add up.”

3. Programmable Thermostats
“It may not be the most thrilling piece of electronics you
could buy, but a programmable thermostat will pay for
itself in one season, and save you time and hassle. By
maintaining more constant heating and cooling levels, and
'remembering' to turn down the heat at night, the average
family will save $150 a year, according to the EPA.
That's impressive, considering that programmable
thermostats can be picked up from major manufacturers
for as little as $50. They don't contain mercury like the
olden days, and are available at most home-improvement
and hardware stores.
Installing one is usually only a matter of connecting up a
few wires in the back once you remove your old one (shut
off the power to the area). Generally anyone can do it
with a screwdriver and the instructions. But if you have
any doubt, it's a quick fix for an electrician or
handyman.”

4. Low-Flow Showerheads, etc.
“You'd probably rather not spend much time thinking
about toilets, but it's a fact that most older models waste
large amounts of water. In fact, more than 30 percent of
indoor residential water use is flushed down the porcelain
drain.
Decades ago, toilets used 5 gallons per flush, but readily
available low-flow models use less than a gallon, and
work great. American Standard, Toto and Kohler are
leaders in the field.
Also save water and money, and still have ample water
pressure, with a low-flow showerhead, which can slash
bathing-water consumption 50 to 70 percent. The devices
are simple to install and start at around $8. Many styles
and features are available, including flow-adjusting dials
and a pause button.”

5. Low- or no-VOC products
“Air-polluting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) include
toxic solvents and formaldehyde. Some new fiberglass
insulation is VOC-free; other lung-friendly insulation
includes recycled cotton batts (containing cloth trimmings
usually scrapped) and soy-based sprayed-in foam.
Low- or no-odor coatings. Sherwin-Williams' zero-VOC
Harmony line has virtually no odor during application and
drying. Its water-base Duration Home formulas are even
more stain-resistant and washable yet contain fewer VOCs
than typical paints.”
Read more: Environmentally Friendly Building and
Remodeling Materials - Better Homes and Garden

6. Use Recycled Products
“Recycled products are filling the market faster than
aluminum cans at a sporting event. Look for rubber and
polymer roofing that imitates slate to reduce weight and
maintenance. In countertops, IceStone blends 75 percent
recycled glass with concrete for durable countertops,
backsplashes, shower surrounds, walls, and floors.”

7. Insulate
“The sun's effect on your home's energy usage doesn't
stop at the windows. If you live in a home that heats up
too much in the warm, sunny months, reflective
insulation may be a cost-saving upgrade to put high on
your to-do list.
Reflective insulation is designed to control solar radiation,
the sun's heat-producing energy, which passes through
your roof and walls to heat the air inside your home.
Some types of reflective insulation can prevent wayward
airflow inside, while others simply bounce the solar
energy away from the interior [source: U.S. Department
of Energy]. Reflective insulation is often a thinner
material than the thermal insulation used to keep heat
from escaping from the home. It usually consists of a
reflective material, such as aluminum, bonded to thin
wood or another type of backing. It's typically used along
with thermal insulation as part of a comprehensive
project.”
Read more: 10 Eco-friendly Home Construction Options
for Any Budget – How Stuff Works

8. Windows
“If your budget allows, upgrading windows to bettersealed and better-insulated models can pay huge
dividends in the fight against high energy costs
[source: Energy Star].
Your budget may allow you to install multipane
windows, in which the space between panes is filled with
an insulating gas, such as argon [source: Efficient
Windows Collaborative]. The glass on these efficient
windows is often tinted or treated with a glazing material
that reduces the solar energy allowed into the home
[source: Efficient Windows Collaborative].
If your budget doesn't leave room for the top end of the
efficient window spectrum, something as simple as
selecting windows with nonmetallic frames (the metal
transmits heat through the wall) can provide some savings
at a more reasonable cost [source: Efficient Windows
Collaborative].”

9. Tankless Water Heaters
“Tankless water heaters don't keep water hot in a
standing tank all day long. Instead, these compact, ondemand units attach to your plumbing system and heat
water as it runs through a heat exchanger. You only pay to
heat water when you need it. Rinnai claims its Continuum
model is 50 to 70 percent more efficient than a
traditional standby heater. A digital control pad maintains
and limits water temperature indefinitely. One version
lets you preset showers, automatically fill tubs, and even
enjoy TV and radio on a 7-inch screen.”

10. Energy Saving Appliances
“Home appliances are tools. And like any tool,
your washer, dryer, water heater and dishwasher will
eventually wear out and need to be replaced. This fact of
homeownership is also a great opportunity: When a major
appliance wears out, some smart shopping can lead to
major energy savings with an efficient new model
[source: Energy Star].
Make sure you know what size appliance you need. Buying
an air conditioner that's too small will lead to hot
summers and a constantly running appliance. But a toolarge air conditioner might not adequately remove
humidity in your home and will waste energy when it's
running [source: Energy Star].
New, efficient appliances aren't always cheap. But
evaluating your needs and researching your options can
help you strike a balance between price and performance
that will improve your home's eco-friendliness, regardless
of your budget.”

11. Lumber Choices
“Lumber choices may seem confusing. Avoid products
produced from old growth timber or endangered tropical
hardwoods. Seek out certified and managed forests,
recycled or reclaimed wood (salvaged from riverbeds or
old buildings), or composites such as hardwood-veneered
MDF (medium-density fiberboard) for doors and cabinets.
An early green favorite with architects, fast-growing
bamboo makes beautiful, durable flooring.”

12. Outdoor Products
“Outdoor products have evolved, too. Treated lumber
eliminated arsenic for less toxic preservatives. Formed
from ground wood fibers and resin, composite decking
and railing won't rot or need painting. CorrectDeck
(www.correctdeck.com) is splinter-free and cool
underfoot, and its woodgrain planks can be joined with
hidden fasteners.”

12 Green Repair Ideas

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