How to Turn your Home into a "Green House"

I was searching the web and I came across Oprah.com and found some really helpful tips on Saving on Energy while saving money. "Going Green" does not necessarily mean that you have to spend alot of money on installing Solar Panels around your house. There are easier ways to save the planet while saving money. For instance, switching to LED light bulbs which are known to last up to 10 years. Though expensive, LED bulbs compared to incandesent bulbs actually last 25x's longer. In 2007 the legislation voted to phase out the incandesent bulb because of it's inefficency. By switching to LED bulbs you can expect to save up to $740 in the life of the bulb. That's alot of cash saved!
CF bulbs are also available and last 10 times longer than an incandesent bulb. They can save you $5.40 per bulb you replace every year. You often see these in squiggly shapes but they are also available in traditional shapes to fit more fixtures.
The next money saver is programing your thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter & 78 degrees in the summer. For every degree you raise the temperature, you save 1% on your bill.
If you have any open cracks between doors or windows, use weather stripping tape to cover them up. This is easy to do and will save you on your electric bill.
The next tip is to use shades. Yes, they are trendy and can also keep the sun from shining through the house while you are away.
If you are in the market for buying a new TV, just note that an LCD will cost you less in energy than a Plasma.
Purchase a power strip which only costs $10 and allows you to turn off individual appliances and even come with remote controls in some cases.
A water aerater ($2) will reduce the amount of water you use without reducing the water pressure. You can save 1-5 gallons of water by installing this. Also, a water filter will save you money on bottled water and only cost $30.
Upgrade to Energy Star appliances. Although more expensive, you can save $800 a year by changing out appliances. So, think of it as a good investment. You can program your dishwasher to wash dishes (skip the pre-rinse and drying).
Switch to Eco friendly cleaning supplies & reusable clothes. There are so many harmful chemicals in traditional cleaning sprays that are hazardest to your health. Try using homemade cleaning products (used for years and proven effective) such as baking soda & lemons, apple cider vinegar. Just google the recipes!
Lastly, turn your water heater down 20 degrees from 140 to 120. You won't feel the difference and you will save $20 a year.

***Courtesy of www.Oprah.com