When it comes to going green, it’s a good idea to start with yourself and your home. Use these tips, from replacing lightbulbs to installing window blinds on your Raleigh, NC home to go green:

• Install Window Blinds – Homeowners spend a lot of money insulting their homes to keep them at comfortable temperatures in the winter and summer months alike, but many forget that windows can do a lot of damage when it comes to insulation. Keep your home more comfortable, your energy bill down, and your carbon footprint small by installing window blinds to help insulate your windows.
• Stock Up on Power Strips – Power strips are not only convenient for plugging in multiple items and protecting electronics from power surges. They can also help limit energy leakage through your outlets to prevent unneeded energy use
• Replace Your Lightbulbs – Incandescent lightbulbs are bad for the environment and your bank account. An incandescent bulb costs around $8 per year, while a fluorescent bulb only costs $1.
• Adjust Your Thermostat – Heating and air conditioning make up a little more than half of the average home’s energy usage. Lower your energy usage by adjusting your thermostat up or down a few degrees, depending on the season. This will cut down on your spending and help the planet.
• Replace Siding – Just like old windows, old siding can reduce your home’s insulation and therefore its energy efficiency. Invest in new siding to reduce your temperature losses.
• Prevent False Temperature Readings – A lot of electronics and household appliances give off heat. If one of these items is near your thermostat, it can cause the thermostat to read the home hotter than it actually is and run your AC more than it needs. Try and keep your thermostat away from heat-producing appliances.
• Stock Your Fridge – The more food is in your fridge the less hot air can get inside when you open the door. Continually cooling large amounts of warm air that enters your fridge costs both you and the planet. Keep it stocked to prevent hot air getting in.
• Recycle – Recycling may seem trivial, but it’s actually very important for keeping your home green. Try putting a second or even third bin next to your garbage to make it easy to separate items as you discard them.
• Shade your HVAC – Direct sunlight can overheat your HVAC unit, making it use even more energy to cool itself and your home. Shade your HVAC unit with a fence, tree, or a special HVAC shade for sun protection.

It’s not as hard as it may seem to make sure your home is energy efficient and green. Kiwi Designs, Fine Blinds & Shutters can help you choose the best Raleigh, NC window blinds to help make your home greener. We have years of experience we would love to put at your disposal. Please stop by and visit us or give us a call today for more information on our expert services and what we can do for you.