At Mr. Rogers, we pride ourselves on carrying eco-friendly products that are produced with a commitment to environmental stewardship. The windows and patio doors we carry are produced by Renewal By Andersen®, and carry the distinguished Green Seal. 98% of all raw manufacturing materials that go into Renewal By Andersen® products are used completely, drastically cutting down on waste and pollution to our environment. There are lots of simple ways to cut down on waste in your home, as well – and all of them will save you money!
Install High-Efficiency Toilets & Low-Flow Showerheads
Did you know the average American household wastes around 10,000 gallons of water every year? If you have a leaky toilet, it could be wasting up to 200 gallons of water a day. By replacing older, inefficient toilets with newer ones meant to save water, you can cut down on waste significantly. The EPA suggests using WaterSense labeled toilets that use 1.28 gallons of water or less when flushing. Installing a low-flow showerhead is as easy as popping off the old one and screwing on the new one, and by doing so you can save up to 2,900 gallons of water a year.
Start Using Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
The next time a light bulb burns out in your home, do yourself a favor and replace it with a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulb. They last 10 times longer than traditional bulbs and use much less energy – saving you money on your electricity bill. They cost a little bit more when you originally purchase them, but you’ll save money over time since they last so long and use much less energy.
Get a Programmable Thermostat
Are you away from your home for most of the day? If so, then a programmable thermostat should be a no-brainer. A programmable thermostat will let you automate the temperature in your home and set times for it to heat or cool your interior, cutting energy costs considerably.
Collect Rainwater for Your Garden
Rain barrel systems are an easy and inexpensive way to waste less water. Lots of towns have created sustainable community programs that offer free rain barrels for use in the neighborhood. If you want a creative DIY engineering project, you can even add taps and lines from the barrels to create an irrigation system for your garden.
Ensure Your Home is Properly Insulated
Making sure your home is properly insulated is one of the best solutions for saving energy and reducing the cost of your monthly bills. Make sure your wall insulation in your walls is still up to snuff, and check around electric outlets to ensure they’re properly insulated, too. If you outfit your home with windows and entry doors purchased from Mr. Rogers, you can be assured that you’ve purchased a product that has been designed to be extremely energy efficient, with weathertight sealing and technology to reduce heat transfer.
