Most people think that going green costs more. Sometimes it does (and in many of those cases, it pays back in a reasonable timeframe). But sometimes, it does not cost more – and in that case, they are really no-brainers. If something does not cost more, but it may save you money, or save natural resources, or improve your health, why not do it? After building our own LEED Certified home and helping others struggle through their options, I came up with a list of five no-brainers that EVERYONE should do if they are building or remodeling:
- Dual flush toilets. These save 0.8 gallons of water per “small” flush. A family of four might have smaller flushes 12 times per day (3 times each). That is a savings of 9.6 gallons per day, or 3,504 gallons per year. At less than a penny per gallon (in Minneapolis we pay about 0.74 cents per gallon), we save $26 per year. While that’s not very much money, the key is this: dual flush toilets do not cost more than regular toilets. So why not save money and water?
- Recycled Drywall. This may sound a little more obscure, but if you are building or remodeling, chances are you will be purchasing sheetrock, usually made from gypsum (which is mined and associated with many environmental problems). We found that our supplier offered 100% recycled drywall at no additional cost, and absolutely no difference in looks or performance. So, while there is no financial gain, it just makes sense to buy the recycled kind. It helps grow the market demand for recycled drywall, helps reduce the cost of raw materials for the companies, and helps encourage remodelers and waste companies to recycle their demolition waste. So, why not ask for it?
- Energy Star Appliances. Seriously – these do not cost more, they are easy to find on the Energy Star website, and they really will start saving energy and money from day one. My parents recently replaced a 1980s refrigerator, and their energy bills are predicted to decrease by over $150 per year. Replacing is a longer payback (4-7 years and still worth it, in my opinion); if you are building new it really is a no-brainer, because there is no incremental cost – just choose your model!
- Low flow sink aerators (not for the kitchen sink, but for all other faucets). These can cost anywhere from $0 through your local utility, which sometimes offers them for free as part of an energy audit. These can cost more: up to $20 for pricey Dorn Bracht fixtures, but most are in the $5-$10 range. For this, your faucet flow rate will go from about 2.2 gallons per minute to 1.5 gallons per minute. (You cannot tell any difference in the quality or performance of the faucet – really!) Assuming a faucet is on 5 minutes per day, that’s a savings of 3.5 gallons per day, or 1,278 gallons per year, which adds up to a financial savings of $9.45 per year – so it pays for itself in a year. Another great deal – and they are very easy to install. I did myself (see blog video)!
- LED lighting. Okay, these do cost more: the incremental cost of LED lights can still be substantial, (we paid about $40 more per recessed can), but their payback is still underrated. Not only do you save about 90% on the annual electricity costs compared to incandescent bulbs (which alone should pay back on the investment in five years or less), but the bulbs last for years and years! Not having to replace them saves time, money, and resources – all pieces that should be included in any financial analysis.
I’m sure there are more no-brainers out there….if you know of some, please share your experience.