Park City Municipal has made a commitment towards a greener future by adopting sustainable energy and vowing to be fossil fuel free by 2035. This is a big step for the city, but the initiatives will only affect buildings operated by Park City.

Making your home more green is a great way to not only reduce your impact on the environment, but it can often lead to long-term savings for homeowners.

Let’s take a look at five ways that Park City homeowners can make their homes more green.

1. Install a Smart Thermostat

Heating and cooling a home uses a lot of energy. Having your heater or air conditioner on constantly even when you are not at home can waste a lot of energy. Smart thermostats like Nest learn your habits and turn off while you are away; saving energy and money.

Smart thermostats are estimated to save you between 10% and 15% on your energy.

2. Improve Insulation

One of the most effective ways to make your home greener and improve your homes overall efficiency is to improve your insulation.

You want to make sure that cracks and crevices are sealed; especially around doors and windows.

You want to prevent heat and cold from escaping your home. This will reduce the need for heating and A/C.

You can also improve the insulation of your home around windows frames, outlets, or window mounted A/C units to improve your efficiency.

Having the right amount of insulation will make your home more effective at maintaining the desired temperature and will reduce the energy needed to power heating and cooling units.

3. Install Low Flow Shower Heads

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, “ Hot water production is the second-largest component of home energy consumption after space heating, accounting for 13 percent of total residential energy use.”

By installing a low flow shower head, you can reduce the amount of water you use and the amount of water that is heated.

Installing a new shower head is as easy as changing a light bulb; unscrew the old one and screw the new one in.

The EPA estimates that the average household can save up to 2,900 gallons per year.

4. Switch to High-Efficiency Bulbs

Installing high energy bulbs is a great way to reduce the amount of electricity your home needs. High efficiency LED bulbs use much less power than traditional bulbs and can last more than ten times as long.

According to Energy.gov a CFL & LED light bulbs, “Typically use about 25%-80% less energy than traditional incandescents, saving you money”.

5. Install High-Efficiency Toilets

According to Express Sewer, a leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day. Replacing old and inefficient toilets is a great way to reduce your overall water usage.

You want to replace your toilets with high-efficiency toilets that use less than 1.28 gallons per flush. The EPA labels these toilets WaterSense.

Conclusion

Making your home more green is a great way to reduce your overall impact and save a few dollars along the way. By using high-efficiency light bulbs, high-efficiency toilets, low flow shower heads, smart thermostats, and improving the insulation of your home; you can easily make your home greener.