Incorporating green practices into your home can be easier and cheaper than you think! We aren’t talking higher priced changes such as solar panels or buying a new ecofriendly car. We want to help people start out with the small, easier changes first then tackle the other ones when they feel they are ready!

You can have an eco-conscious home without building one from the group up. From switching the LED light bulbs to installing a toilet that uses less water, there are a number of ways to make your home a little greener.

First things first, changing the light bulbs you buy is such an easy solution that will save you money in the long run. LED light bulbs have a longer life and use less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes so they are perfect for any space.

Repurposed materials is another way to make your space not only more ecofriendly but can also be a great addition to your interior design. Countertops, tables, headboards, flooring can all be repurposed and give your space a sense of originality. Some examples of materials that could replace your countertops would be recycled steel or reclaimed wood. Environmentally friendly flooring options are not so hard to find. Flooring made from cork, linoleum and bamboo are not only renewable materials but also assist in home insulation efforts. Linoleum, in particular, is known for a long lifespan, which is always great to hear!

Water conversation is something every household could get better at. Even if you don’t want to make any large purchases right now, changing your habits of long showers and leaving the water running when you brush your teeth are two ways to not use as much water that you can do for FREE. It can even save you money on your water bill! But if you want to take water conservation to the next step, Stealth System toilets (www.niagaracorp.com/stealth) uses less than one gallon of water per flush. An average toilet uses three gallons per flush.  Another great fix would be purchasing tankless water heaters which skip the inefficient and wasteful process of reheating hot water in a tank. They heat on demand so no energy is wasted keeping water hot. You will see savings in energy costs and you will save on water usage because you will no longer be running water while waiting for it to heat up.

These are a couple simple changes you can make starting as early as today to make your home more ecofriendly and energy efficient. Help the environment, one change at a time!