Okay, let’s talk reality. We at Buy Owner are always talking to you about how to live a greener, more eco-friendly life in your house. This interests home sellers who are looking for an advantage over other sellers, and it interests home buyers who are looking for energy-saving, money-saving elements in a new house. But when it comes down to it, do you know how much our environment benefits from green living?

Most don’t. To put green living into perspective, here is a list of actual numbers from HomeGuide123. These numbers were derived in 2007.

• If every household replaced five of their home’s current light bulbs with five compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), each household would save 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Together, we would stop 55.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from being released.

• If every household turned their water heater down to 130 degrees, each household would save another 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Together, we would stop another 55.5 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from being released.

• If every household replaced their current refrigerator with an Energy Star refrigerator, each household would save 1,100 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Together, we would stop 122 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from being released.

• If every household adjusted their thermostats just two degrees from what they are set at regularly, each household would save 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Together, we would stop 222 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from being released.

• If every household recycled paper, plastic and aluminum, each household would save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions! Together, we would save 266 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

• If every household sealed cracks and added insulation to their attics, each household would save 2,650 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Together, we would stop a whopping 294 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from being released!

• If every household fixed or replaced drippy faucets and toilets, each household would save 1.1 million gallons of water! Wow! Together, we would save a massive 122 trillion gallons of water.

These are huge numbers. That’s 1.1 trillion pounds of saved carbon dioxide emissions. For an even more personal perspective, one million gallons of carbon dioxide equals 52,000 gallons of gasoline! For more statistics, or to view the article in its entirety, click here.

Not only does living green provide a healthier lifestyle and lower electricity and utility bills, but according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 90 percent of home buyers have said that energy efficiency is a significant factor that they are looking for in a new home! Now that you know it could improve the interest of your potential buyers, here are green improvements to consider:

• Add insulation where it’s needed. Outside, walk around the exterior of your home and look for cracks in the construction. On a windy, cold day, head to the attic and/or basement to listen for whistling sounds that might be making their way through cracks. Pay attention to drafts anywhere in the house. For more information on energy-efficient insulation, click here.

• Install new energy-efficient windows, or add a screen or an extra pane of glass to the windows or sliding glass doors. The more layers, the more efficient against wind and cold temperatures. Keep the curtains open so that the sun can shine through in the cold, and keep them closed to keep the heat out in warm temperatures. For more information on windows, click here.

• Purchase new Energy Star appliances that are the most energy-efficient options out there. They are expensive, but they are a huge selling point for the kitchen, which is one of the most popular rooms that a buyer pays attention to. For more ways to create a green kitchen, click here.

• Invest in a tankless water heater, and/or add energy-efficient, low-flow water fixtures to your sinks or showers. Show potential homebuyers your water or heating bills to prove how much money these mechanisms will save them. For more information on tankless water heaters, click here.

• Fill the home with natural or eco-friendly lighting by adding a skylight, adding dimmers to light switches, or replacing all of the lights with fluorescent bulbs. For more information on skylights, click here.

Loads of more green, eco-friendly advice is available in our archives, which you can browse here. Knowing that 90 percent of potential homebuyers are interested in eco-friendly aspects should aspire you home sellers to look further into the suggestion!

A decrease in temperatures could mean an increase of unwanted pests joining your household. This year, instead of purchasing another pesticide, try these natural pest control tips.

According to a report by Environment Health Perspectives, 83 percent of American households contain up to four different pesticide products, even though these products often cause health risks, such as allergies, an immunity system breakdown or even brain effects. In 1993, 140,000 poison cases were reported to poison control centers. Pesticides have up to 300 active ingredients and up to 1,700 inert ingredients! That leaves room for a lot of health risks, just for the sake of ridding your house of unwanted pests.

To read the whole EHP report, visit pubmedcentral.nih.gov.

With that said, there are natural, green ways to keep pesticides away, presented by care2.com. To prevent pests from entering your home in the first place, try these tips:

• Get rid of standing water or damp areas. Immediately clean up spills, even if it’s just water; clean and dry dishes right away; fix leaky faucets.

• Sweep and vacuum weekly, especially in the kitchen. Wipe down counters and tables. Clean up all those crumbs! Store food in tightly closed containers, and consider wrapping plastic bags around boxes that pests could bite through.

• Re-caulk and seal cracks and openings in the walls, floors and ceilings. Line doors and windows with weather stripping; add screens to windows and doors.

• Change bed linens regularly, and if you have pets, wash them regularly.

• Take the garbage out often, and only throw food away in a covered garbage container or in a composting bucket. Keep the recycle bin in the garage.

If you follow these rules and pests still find their way into your home, purchase a non-toxic pesticide. You can even make homemade pest-repellents, such as an all-natural fly strip made with brown packing tape dipped in a mixture of honey, sugar and water. To repel fleas, use scents of rosemary, lavender, vinegar or lemon.

For more natural pesticide ideas, visit care2.com/greenliving.

Compost piles have evolved into a well-known method of recycling, supporting eco-friendly living and reducing landfill waste. We’ve discussed composting in past articles, such as whether you should try composting and energy-saving tips for the garden. But what if you live in an apartment or condo without a backyard, or the weather is turning too cold to continue composting? No worries! A new type of composting is available for you: Bokashi composting.

According to greenlivingtips.com, the Japanese word Bokashi can either translate to mean “organic matter” or “shading off.” The significant difference between Bokashi composting and regular composting is that Bokashi occurs inside an airtight container that can be kept inside your home!

First, you place a layer of newspaper or some sort of absorbing material in the bottom of the bucket, in order to absorb access liquids. Then, you place a layer of kitchen scraps in the container, such as fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grinds, tea bags, egg shells, meat scraps or bread crumbs. Next, place more newspaper over this layer, or cover it with a layer of a fortified micro-organism, such as bran. Continue to create layers like this until the container is full. The contents ferment for about 10 to 14 days. Afterward, you have a fertilizer for your indoor our outdoor plants!

A positive aspect of Bokashi composting is that the material only contains a slight cider vinegar odor, instead of an earthy or garbage stench. The bucket can conveniently be located anywhere in your house, without getting in the way. Afterward, you can fertilize your plants and soil with nourishment and micro-organisms.

Bokashi composting kits area available at most hardware stores, along with micro-organisms.

If you are looking for ways to save money on domestic expenses this fall, one of the best things you can do for your wallet (while helping the environment, too) is make the switch to green heating.

Whether your house runs on a boiler or a radiator system, you’ll have plenty of options for a more eco-friendly way to generate heat throughout your home. Like most green ventures, you may have to pay a pretty penny to install an energy-efficient unit; however, in the long run, you will save on the cost of your utility bills.

So what, exactly, are your options? Here is a list of several units that will save you money, reduce your home energy consumption and, ultimately, create a cleaner environment.

Boiler Heating

• High-Efficiency Boiler: How do you measure a given boiler’s energy efficiency? Every boiler is assigned an AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating that compares the amount of heat delivered throughout your home to the amount of fuel that must be supplied to the furnace. While all heaters in the U.S. must hold an AFUE rating of 78%, that still means that 22% of the fuel used to heat your home is expelled outside, creating harmful greenhouse gases. Also, many older homes are equipped with heating systems measuring anywhere from 50 to 68% on the AFUE scale! An eco-friendly, high-efficiency boiler should have an AFUE rating of 90%.
• Sealed-Combustion Boiler: One way to reduce the chance of inhaling toxic carbon monoxide gases all together would be by installing a sealed-combustion boiler. This unit draws air from the outside of your home and eliminates backdrafting of combustion gases. And since the boiler will not be using heated indoor air, it won’t be wasting energy and that in turn will make your utility bill will be significantly lower.

Radiator Heating

• Geothermal Heat Pump: If you have an existing radiator system, installing a geothermal heat pump sources its energy from the earth and redistributes the warmth throughout your home. Water is pumped through a system of underground pipes to bring heat into your house. No unfriendly gases here! And you’ll see savings in anywhere between three to five years.
• Zoned Hydronic Radiant Heating: A radiant floor system provides some of the most evenly distributed heat you could need or want. It also won’t dry out any furniture and it will not expel dust allergens. Because water retains more heat than air does, radiant heating is a more efficient way to warm up your house. You can even save between 30 and 50% on utility costs! Whether you have carpet, tile, hardwood, stone, etc., you can install radiant heating.

If you’re not in the market for a new heating system just yet, a great way to save on your heating bills is to turn down your thermostat, especially when you leave the house. Many people leave it at 70, but if you take it down to 65, you’ll save at least 10% on your utility bill!

Attention, buyers! Choosing an eco-friendly home makes more sense now than ever, as it not only proves to be beneficial over time, when you add up the savings of more efficient appliances and more sustainable features, but it also actually can benefit you right now, if you use an energy-efficient mortgage.

Designed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to encourage buyers towards purchasing green residences, energy-efficient mortgages can allow you to qualify for larger sums of money, as well as a more efficient and sustainable residence!

What is an energy-efficient mortgage?
Designed to make the purchase of a green home easier, an EEM works like a traditional mortgage, except that it has a few extra requirements.

How can someone qualify for an energy-efficient mortgage?
The home to be purchased must be assessed through a Home Energy Rating System by a trained professional and given a score between 1 and 100. The lower the score, the less efficient it is.

Based on that score, you may potentially qualify for an EEM because (1) You could save money by adding energy-focused upgrades or (2) The amount of projected energy savings the home already would provide is enough to increase your total loan amount.

Are there different types of energy-efficient mortgages?
Yes. Which type of EEM is used depends on the situation:

• Regular EEM: This is the mortgage that adds the projected energy savings of a home to the amount of the loan.

• FHA (Federal Housing Administration) EEM: In this case, buyers can add up to 5% of the value of the home to the loan amount, up to $8K. This helps them be able to make energy-efficient improvements to the home without needing to take out a second mortgage for the cash.

• Veteran’s EEM: For military personnel, this mortgage provides between $3000 and $6000 towards upgrade costs or a mortgage.

• Energy Star Mortgage: According to the Energy Star Web site, there’s a new program coming soon, aimed at “enhancing the success of investing in energy-efficient homes by lowering borrowing costs, as well as demonstrating the importance of utilizing a network of qualified energy auditors and contractors to ensure that cost-effective energy efficiency improvements are realized.”

Though we love the friendly creatures that roam our houses as members of the family, potential home buyers or guests may not see them that way. With pets come dirt, fur, fleas, odors and a disarray of belongings. In order to keep your house as eco-friendly as possible, while keeping your pets as healthy as possible too, green cleaning and care options are your best bet.

• How often you bathe you pet depends on how much of an odor it submits. Too much bathing will cause its skin to become irritated. When you do bathe it, get it wet, turn the water off while you suds it up with basic soap or pet shampoo, then rinse after five to eight minutes.

• To keep skin or fur healthy and clean, feed your pet fresh, whole foods without preservatives or artificial coloring. The fresher the food is, the healthier the pet’s coat will be.

• To kill fleas and other annoying pests that are attracted to your animal, vacuum and dust at least twice a week, especially during humid, rainy seasons. Change your vacuum bag often, because fleas can still hatch their eggs there.

• If your pet has a bed or a favorite pillow or blanket, wash it often. Choose a bed with a removable cover. Cedar-filled beds repel fleas best, according to National Geographic’s Green Guide.

• Fill your home with scents of lavender, mint, rosemary and cedar, all which repel fleas and other pests. Cedar oils are available as insect repellents for pets.

• Before throwing away an old pair of shoes or a worn-out piece of Tupperware, offer the safe, unwanted item to your pet as a toy. That’s one less item to buy, and one less item to lead to a landfill.

• Instead of spraying your yard with insect killers rich in chemicals, introduce natural predators to eliminate the unwanted pests. Plant flowers rich in nectar, create shaded areas full of moist and shade, or purchase harmless bugs meant to kill the unwanted bugs.

• Whenever cleaning your house, use chemical-free, eco-friendly cleaners. For a list, read our blog here.

• Instead of using your average kitty litter, which is hazardous to the environment, use substitute litter like ground corn cobs, recycled newspaper, pine sawdust or straw pellets.

• If you want to go all out, consider installing a “doggy loo” to your yard, which is basically a toilet for your dog’s waste. A bucket with a hole in the bottom is placed into the ground, and an enzyme is added that breaks down the matter. After you fill it, you pour water down it, and it is all flushed deep into the ground.

For more information, visit thegreenguide.com and greenlivingtips.com.

When you’re looking to make your home more eco-friendly, the kitchen is the best place to start. Why? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, kitchens account for 41.5 percent of the energy consumption in a home!

In keeping with that idea, here are a handful of green products that can help improve your kitchen:

• Biodegradable Trash Bags: Created by Perf Go Green, these kitchen trash bags can be used and thrown away; they’ll be totally broken down within two years. Made of recycled plastics, they are fully biodegradable, making them a smart, green solution for disposing of your kitchen garbage.
• Energy-Star Appliances: Appliances with the Energy Star rating are said to offer the best performance with the benefit of energy savings.
• New countertops or cabinetry: Today’s building industry offers a variety of eco-friendly materials with which to outfit your kitchen, from concrete to formaldehyde-free to EnviroSLAB. If you’re planning to update your kitchen anyway, why not do it with green products?

For even more eco-friendly kitchen improvements, check out this Buy Owner Blog post from last fall: Green Living: Kitchen.

While they add warmth and coziness to a room, especially on cool fall and winter evenings, fireplaces aren’t all ambiance. Did you know that, according to some experts, fireplaces are often bad for the environment?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the smoke you see coming out of a chimney indicates that the fuel in the fireplace below has not burned completely.

Chimney smoke is a mixture of gas and particles that can cause health problems, especially when the particles typically measure anywhere between 2.5 and 10 micrometers in diameter. Some of the gases emitted from wood smoke include sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. When inhaled, these gases can infect the heart and the lungs, causing such illnesses as asthma, coronary artery disease and cancer, sometimes even resulting in heart failure.

With Washington being the only state in the country to enforce fireplace emissions testing, the EPA created a voluntary Low Mass Wood-Burning Fireplace Program geared toward manufacturers located throughout the rest of the United States. It is the hope of the EPA that factories distribute cleaner, low-mass fireplaces in order to improve the air quality all over the country. Essentially, if a given state won’t do it, it’s up to the EPA and the fireplace manufacturers to help the environment.

When a fireplace passes the EPA’s test, its packaging is stamped with either an orange or white tag. The orange tag means that the fireplace meets the Phase 1 (above average) emission levels and the white tag signifies that the fireplace meets Phase 2 (better than above average) emission levels. No matter which tag has been placed on a fireplace, you will know that those specific models were tested by an EPA-accredited lab, and they are cleaner (and greener) than other models.

For a complete guide to eco-friendly, EPA-approved fireplaces, visit www.epa.gov/woodstoves.

In this post, we’re getting even more specific, focusing on an aspect of your kitchen you really couldn’t do without: the sink.

Here’s what you may not know about sinks: not only are they a necessary part of a functional cooking space, but they also can be a great way to go green, particularly if you choose well in the type of material they’re constructed from.

Materials to Look for:
Eco-friendly sink materials include stainless steel and cast iron, both of which are recyclable and sometimes available used at salvage yards. As an added bonus, stainless steel is very easy to find and in a variety of sizes; plus, it’s easy to clean!

Think about Counters:
Sometimes it’s possible to extend the same material from the countertops to the sink, creating a seamless transition of work space and minimizing bacteria-harboring crevices.

Under- or Surface-Mounted?
Because they are easier to clean, under-mounted sinks may be preferable to surface-mounted ones, despite being more difficult to install. Just note that the material you’ve chosen for your counters may limit the type of sink you’re able to pick—for an under-mounted sink, it’s best to choose concrete, stone or some other solid-surface counter.

Other Reminders:
• Your kitchen is also a great place to add a water filtration system, which we’ve written about in a previous Buy Owner Blog article here.
• A foot pedal makes you more aware of how much water you’re actually using, and it doesn’t allow you to walk away with the water still running.
• Change the faucet to one that is low flowing, and save on energy. Lower water bills aren’t just good for you and the environment; they’re attractive to buyers!