Has opening your utility bills given you an electric shock that stops you in your tracks? Most of us have experienced that unpleasant jolt and thought: I need to lower my energy bill, but how do I do it? This blog will guide you on how to go green to keep more money in your pocket while showing Mother Earth some well-deserved love.
You’ve heard of the mythical creature Bigfoot, right? His name derived from the gigantic imprint each foot made in the soil, destroying plants and creatures along the way.
A carbon footprint is similar in that it’s the negative effect a human’s actions have on the environment. Our use of electricity, water, cars, household appliances—almost everything we interact with regularly—emits greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) into the atmosphere.
Those gases then erode atmospheric layers—which buffer us from the sun—and in turn, cause our global temperatures to rise. Suffice it to say that the erosion of the atmosphere keeps scientists awake at night!
The good news is that you can do your part to reduce your home’s carbon footprint, promote sustainability, and save money in the process by making some energy-efficient upgrades. Keep reading to find out how to turn your property into a green home.
Upgrading to create a green home doesn’t mean you have to do a complete overhaul. Varying levels of upgrades can noticeably lower your energy bill over the long term. Doing even just one or two will reduce your carbon footprint, positively impact the environment around you, and bring down the cost of your utility bills.
Let’s take a look at some of the more popular energy-efficient upgrades out there.
These panels leverage the sun’s rays to create eco-friendly electricity and heat for your home.
Proper insulation and sealing keep heat and air conditioning tightly inside your home, thereby reducing energy costs while providing better comfort.
Designed to use less energy, these household machines lower the amount of electricity they consume.
These WiFi-enabled devices automatically adjust the heating or cooling temperature in your home based on your routines to provide optimal performance.
Since water heaters are responsible for 20% of a home’s energy consumption and an energy-efficient heater uses 70% less energy than a standard model—you can save a bundle if you upgrade.
Also known as water-wise landscaping, these garden designs incorporate plantings that require less water to reduce overall water consumption.
Over the last decade, energy-efficient homes have become more appealing and therefore have fetched higher sale prices. According to studies assessed by the federal government, sale and resale prices for rated, energy-efficient homes and apartments were 2-8% higher than their non-upgraded counterparts.
The primary driver behind these “must-haves” for the buyers is the desire for lower utility costs. According to Forbes, the average American household spends over $5,000 a year on utilities—but energy-efficient upgrades could potentially decrease that amount by as much as 30%.
The National Association of Home Builders has documented that energy-efficient features are among the most important considerations for would-be home buyers. Their survey found the following:
While making a green home does require an upfront cost, you’re likely to increase your home’s market value and sell it at a higher price—putting more green in your pocket in the long run.
Our Energy Saver Loan covers a wide range of eco-friendly upgrades, so you can pick and choose which ones work best for your home and your budget:
Since our mission is to strengthen our community, we want to make the conversion to green homes affordable and accessible for our members. To that end, our Energy Saver Loan offers competitive interest rates and terms as well as a user-friendly, streamlined loan application process.
Like many loans, the Energy Saver is secured by your home. To be eligible, the home must be occupied by the owner, be a single-family residence, and be located in one of the following counties: Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, or San Diego.
Applying for the loan is quick and easy! When you click on the blue button below, choose “Energy Saver Loan''. Answer the questions about the loan amount and term length, pick “Home Improvement'' as the reason for your loan, and choose “Primary Residence” for how you intend to occupy the property. Before starting the application, you can check out our competitive rates here.
At Foothill Credit Union, you’re not just a member—you’re part of our amazing community.
As a nonprofit, member-owned cooperative since 1958, we have made it our goal to improve the financial lives of our members. We live by the mantra “banking made better” and prove it every day by providing extraordinary customer care experiences and first-rate financial products and services for our members.
As passionate believers in making your home—and the world—a better place, we hope to partner with you as you embark on your green journey. Why wait? Let us help start making your eco-friendly dreams a reality—today.
