We all know we need to do more to lessen our carbon footprint. But are there ways to do this without going to the extreme of selling your home and moving the family into a tent? Actually, you will be relieved to know that there are easy ways you can go green at home!

Here are a few tips.

• Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
• Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
• Save water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water. Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.
• Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too. Install a low-flow showerhead. They don’t cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
• Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.

Is it time for a total roof overhaul? Before you shell out your hard earned cash, make sure you choose a durable, long-lasting option. Most asphalt shingle roofs have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Even if you aren’t currently experiencing problems with leaking or discoloration, houses in the same community are often built around the same time, so that if your neighbors’ roofs are reaching the end of their lifespan, yours could follow soon.

Slate, aluminum, steel, and clay roofs all have lifespan of 50-plus years, some lasting up to 200! Upfront cost never tells the whole story. Even though another asphalt shingle roof may seem like a steal per-square foot, when you account for energy inefficiency and the replacement costs in another 15 years, going with a more durable, longer-lasting roof can be a better financial decision as well as more environmentally sound.

As with any larger roofing project, finding a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor for the job is essential. Because of the heaviness of clay and slate, your roof may require additional reinforcement. The right contractor can help you with that decision and others. Be sure to choose a material that looks great, is kind to the environment, keeps bills low, and lasts.

Smaller bathrooms can find you standing by the sink with no place to set a razor or hair dryer, or to restock the weekly vitamin holder. Improve the situation with three replacement items that, as a bonus, will also refresh the room’s appearance. A bit of shopping and a day or two of work from an experienced remodeling contractor can achieve wonders. Here’s the magic formula:

• No storage doesn’t have to be a problem. Replace your mirror with a surface-mounted medicine cabinet as wide as your sink’s countertop. Depending on width, the cabinet can have one to three mirrored doors that hide shelves. Some even have built-in lights above the mirrors. Bonus: 3-door models provide side and rear views for styling your hair.
• Be careful with vanities. Pedestal sinks work best in bathrooms with plentiful storage. In small bathrooms, however, they steal storage space. Have your contractor build you a vanity if the space is odd-shaped; otherwise, ready-made ones come in many styles, widths, and prices. Some have countertops and built-in sinks. Some are footed cabinets, and others have recessed toe-kicks.
• Shelves are your friends. Add a lipped shelf on brackets over the toilet and one or two above the towel rack for open or bin storage of folded towels, bath toys, and bathroom hand appliances.

Is it time for a total roof overhaul?

Choose a durable, long-lasting option. Most asphalt shingle roofs have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Even if you aren’t currently experiencing problems with leaking or discoloration, houses in the same community are often built around the same time, so that if your neighbors’ roofs are reaching the end of their lifespan, yours could follow soon.

Slate, aluminum, steel, and clay roofs all have lifespans of 50-plus years, some lasting up to 200! Upfront cost never tells the whole story. Even though another asphalt shingle roof may seem like a steal per-square foot, when you account for energy inefficiency and the replacement costs in another 15 years, going with a more durable, longer-lasting roof can be a better financial decision as well as more environmentally sound.

As with any larger roofing project, finding a licensed, bonded, and insured contractor for the job is essential. Because of the heaviness of clay and slate, your roof may require additional reinforcement. The right contractor can help you with that decision and others. Find a pre-screened, certified roofer today. Because you come home to live under your roof every day, be sure to choose a material that looks great, is kind to the environment, keeps bills low, and lasts.