12 Green Repair Ideas Compiled for you by Paul’s Quality Home Repair, Inc.

1. Drafts and Air Leaks

“Perhaps one of the easiest ways to save money around the house is to seal off drafts, which can reduce your energy bills 5 to 30 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. With today's heating and cooling prices, that amounts to real money.

Check for window drafts by carefully holding an incense stick up to each frame and watch the smoke to see if there is a leak. (Be sure to remove all curtains first to avoid a fire.) Then use caulking or weather-stripping to seal the cracks. Make sure you cover any pipe outlets or cracks in the foundation. Also roll up an old towel, or buy or make a cute 'draft snake' to put over the crack in the bottom of doors (at the 'sill' or 'saddle').”

Read more: Green Remodeling - Money Saving Green Remodeling Ideas for Your Home - The Daily Green 

2. Fix Water Leaks

“A dripping faucet or pipe joint is more than just an auditory annoyance. Besides driving you crazy, it can really add up to substantial water waste. One faulty faucet wastes 3 gallons of water per day, reports the U.S. Geological Survey.

Sometimes a leak is just a matter of a quick tighten, which almost anyone can do with pliers or a pipe wrench. Other times you get befuddled, or have a leak that is too hard to get to. In those cases it is worth calling a plumber, because not only will you see lower water bills over time, but you decrease the risk of mold, which is a serious threat both to home value and indoor air quality.

It may be a cliché, but every drop does add up.”

Read more: Green Remodeling - Money Saving Green Remodeling Ideas for Your Home - The Daily Green 

3. Programmable Thermostats

“It may not be the most thrilling piece of electronics you could buy, but a programmable thermostat will pay for itself in one season, and save you time and hassle. By maintaining more constant heating and cooling levels, and 'remembering' to turn down the heat at night, the average family will save $150 a year, according to the EPA.

That's impressive, considering that programmable thermostats can be picked up from major manufacturers for as little as $50. They don't contain mercury like the olden days, and are available at most home-improvement and hardware stores.

Installing one is usually only a matter of connecting up a few wires in the back once you remove your old one (shut off the power to the area). Generally anyone can do it with a screwdriver and the instructions. But if you have any doubt, it's a quick fix for an electrician or handyman.”

Read more: Green Remodeling - Money Saving Green Remodeling Ideas for Your Home - The Daily Green 

4. Low-Flow Showerheads, etc.

“You'd probably rather not spend much time thinking about toilets, but it's a fact that most older models waste large amounts of water. In fact, more than 30 percent of indoor residential water use is flushed down the porcelain drain.

Decades ago, toilets used 5 gallons per flush, but readily available low-flow models use less than a gallon, and work great. American Standard, Toto and Kohler are leaders in the field.

Also save water and money, and still have ample water pressure, with a low-flow showerhead, which can slash bathing-water consumption 50 to 70 percent. The devices are simple to install and start at around $8. Many styles and features are available, including flow-adjusting dials and a pause button.”

Read more: Green Remodeling - Money Saving Green Remodeling Ideas for Your Home - The Daily Green 

5. Low- or no-VOC products

“Air-polluting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) include toxic solvents and formaldehyde. Some new fiberglass insulation is VOC-free; other lung-friendly insulation includes recycled cotton batts (containing cloth trimmings usually scrapped) and soy-based sprayed-in foam.

Low- or no-odor coatings. Sherwin-Williams' zero-VOC Harmony line has virtually no odor during application and drying. Its water-base Duration Home formulas are even more stain-resistant and washable yet contain fewer VOCs than typical paints.”

Read more: Environmentally Friendly Building and Remodeling Materials - Better Homes and Garden

6. Use Recycled Products

“Recycled products are filling the market faster than aluminum cans at a sporting event. Look for rubber and polymer roofing that imitates slate to reduce weight and maintenance. In countertops, IceStone blends 75 percent recycled glass with concrete for durable countertops, backsplashes, shower surrounds, walls, and floors.”

Read more: Environmentally Friendly Building and Remodeling Materials - Better Homes and Garden

7. Insulate

“The sun's effect on your home's energy usage doesn't stop at the windows. If you live in a home that heats up too much in the warm, sunny months, reflective insulation may be a cost-saving upgrade to put high on your to-do list.

Reflective insulation is designed to control solar radiation, the sun's heat-producing energy, which passes through your roof and walls to heat the air inside your home. Some types of reflective insulation can prevent wayward airflow inside, while others simply bounce the solar energy away from the interior [source: U.S. Department of Energy]. Reflective insulation is often a thinner material than the thermal insulation used to keep heat from escaping from the home. It usually consists of a reflective material, such as aluminum, bonded to thin wood or another type of backing. It's typically used along with thermal insulation as part of a comprehensive project.”

Read more: 10 Eco-friendly Home Construction Options for Any Budget – How Stuff Works

8. Windows

“If your budget allows, upgrading windows to better-sealed and better-insulated models can pay huge dividends in the fight against high energy costs [source: Energy Star].

Your budget may allow you to install multipane windows, in which the space between panes is filled with an insulating gas, such as argon [source: Efficient Windows Collaborative]. The glass on these efficient windows is often tinted or treated with a glazing material that reduces the solar energy allowed into the home [source: Efficient Windows Collaborative].

If your budget doesn't leave room for the top end of the efficient window spectrum, something as simple as selecting windows with nonmetallic frames (the metal transmits heat through the wall) can provide some savings at a more reasonable cost [source: Efficient Windows Collaborative].”

Read more: 10 Eco-friendly Home Construction Options for Any Budget – How Stuff Works

9. Tankless Water Heaters

“Tankless water heaters don't keep water hot in a standing tank all day long. Instead, these compact, on-demand units attach to your plumbing system and heat water as it runs through a heat exchanger. You only pay to heat water when you need it. Rinnai claims its Continuum model is 50 to 70 percent more efficient than a traditional standby heater. A digital control pad maintains and limits water temperature indefinitely. One version lets you preset showers, automatically fill tubs, and even enjoy TV and radio on a 7-inch screen.”

Read more: Environmentally Friendly Building and Remodeling Materials - Better Homes and Garden

10. Energy Saving Appliances“Home appliances are tools. And like any tool, your washer, dryer, water heater and dishwasher will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. This fact of homeownership is also a great opportunity: When a major appliance wears out, some smart shopping can lead to major energy savings with an efficient new model [source: Energy Star].

Make sure you know what size appliance you need. Buying an air conditioner that's too small will lead to hot summers and a constantly running appliance. But a too-large air conditioner might not adequately remove humidity in your home and will waste energy when it's running [source: Energy Star].

New, efficient appliances aren't always cheap. But evaluating your needs and researching your options can help you strike a balance between price and performance that will improve your home's eco-friendliness, regardless of your budget.”

Read more: 10 Eco-friendly Home Construction Options for Any Budget – How Stuff Works

11. Lumber Choices

“Lumber choices may seem confusing. Avoid products produced from old growth timber or endangered tropical hardwoods. Seek out certified and managed forests, recycled or reclaimed wood (salvaged from riverbeds or old buildings), or composites such as hardwood-veneered MDF (medium-density fiberboard) for doors and cabinets. An early green favorite with architects, fast-growing bamboo makes beautiful, durable flooring.”

Read more: Environmentally Friendly Building and Remodeling Materials - Better Homes and Garden

12. Outdoor Products

“Outdoor products have evolved, too. Treated lumber eliminated arsenic for less toxic preservatives. Formed from ground wood fibers and resin, composite decking and railing won't rot or need painting. CorrectDeck (www.correctdeck.com) is splinter-free and cool underfoot, and its woodgrain planks can be joined with hidden fasteners.”

Read more: Environmentally Friendly Building and Remodeling Materials - Better Homes and Garden