Green Living on a Budget

Dear Expert: Is there a way to make my house greener that doesn’t involve major renovations and big budgets?

A. There are some very simple and cost-effective things you can do to make your home much greener and more energy efficient, which means smaller utility bills for you.

Make it tighter. Less air moving in and out means less energy escaping and lower energy use.

An energy audit can help you find other areas to improve air leakage and energy efficiency of your home. For example, caulk or otherwise seal around all wall penetrations, such as bathroom vents, cooktop vents, furnace exhausts/intakes, and fresh air intakes.

—NOR-SON, INC.
Chris Roeder, Project Manager
Jim Larson, Building Science Expert
Renee Johnson, Manager of Home Project Development