5 Easy and Cheap Green Things to Do

Seems like all the green talk today is about buying things: buy Energy Star, buy solar panels, buy tankless water heaters, buy new sustainable building products. Buy, buy, buy. 

But what’s a budget-minded home owner to do? 

According to Stacy Burgin with Terra Point Realty, being more energy-conscious at home doesn't always mean spending money on the latest green upgrades. Sometimes, the simplest changes can make a difference-and they may not cost you anything at all.

Whether you own a home in Fulshear, Katy, Richmond, or anywhere in the greater Houston area, these five easy, budget-friendly green habits are a great place to start.

1. Resist the temptation to buy.

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably already on board the no-buy boat. This first piece of advice is simply to provide validation: replacing something that isn’t broken isn’t necessarily greener, and it certainly isn't budget-savvy.

So give yourself a pat on the back every time you tell temptation to take a hike.

As a real estate professional, Stacy Burgin often reminds homeowners that taking care of what you already have can be just as important as investing in new features. A well-maintained home can help you avoid unnecessary replacements and expenses.

2. When you do need to buy, buy wisely.

Read product labels. You might need reading glasses to accomplish this, but it’s worth it. 

Don’t try to figure out each ingredient — it’s much too hard to do that. Besides, many product-makers don’t even bother to list every ingredient.

Instead, train your eye to spot terms such as non-toxic, biodegradable, and petroleum-free, all of which can help you identify more environmentally conscious options.

That helpful tidbit comes from WebMd, as well as this one: Beware of products that list a few specific terms and then use non-specific terms such as “inactive ingredients” for the rest. And be leery of products that list “fragrance” without telling you what ingredients make up the fragrance. 

Be careful, though — label-reading can be addictive. Before you know it, you’ll be perusing the National Library of Medicine’s Household Product Database.

3. Dust off your Crock-Pot.

Yep, your Crock-Pot is an energy saver.

An electric oven at 350 degrees burns 2.0 kWh in just one hour. But a slow cooker at 200 degrees uses only 0.70 kWh over seven hours. And, besides, it’s nice to come home to delicious aromas and a meal that’s ready to eat.

Small changes like this are a good reminder that being more energy-conscious doesn't always require a major home improvement project.

4. Go crazy for power strips.

The most pragmatic way to save electricity is to turn off electronics when you’re not using them. But seriously, who does that?

Smart strips, which sense when a device is idle and shut off its power supply, are a good compromise. And they’re not that pricey. You can get one for about $25, although there are some pricier models. 

If you make the effort to hook up your computer and media equipment to a smart strip, it can help reduce unnecessary standby electricity use over time.

How long will that take? 

Depends on how much of a bad dog you were pre-smart strip, and how religious you become about using the smart strip-which is a perfect segue to the final piece of advice.

5. Just use less.

Turn off your lights. Turn down your heat. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth.

Obvious? Yes.

But it’s really one of the simplest, easiest, cheapest things you can do to be green. 

Ask yourself-and answer honestly: Are you really paying attention to your electric and water consumption? Awareness is half the battle. Maybe you need an energy monitor to goose up your efforts.

Make yourself think about it day in and day out. That’s the hard part. 

Green Doesn't Have to Mean Expensive

For homeowners, sustainability can sometimes feel like an expensive list of upgrades. But as Stacy Burgin of Terra Point Realty points out, there are plenty of ways to be more mindful of your home's energy and resource use without immediately reaching for your wallet.

From using less electricity and water to making smarter purchasing decisions and taking better care of the home you already own, small habits can add up.

And when you're thinking about your home's value, future improvements, or whether an energy-efficient feature is worth the investment, having a real estate professional who understands the local market can help you look at the bigger picture.

Stacy Burgin, Broker and Founder of Terra Point Realty, helps homeowners throughout Fulshear, Katy, Richmond, and the greater Fort Bend County area make informed real estate decisions. If you're thinking about buying, selling, or simply want to understand how your home's features may affect its marketability, Stacy is here to help.

Terra Point Realty — helping you make smart moves, one home at a time.

Courtney Craig and Kathryn Hawkins contributed to this piece.