Going green before spring is one of the best possible things you could do this year for your home, for the environment, and for the all important pocketbook. Here are a few great green project ideas to think about…

Why Not Recycle Grey Water?

You’ll need to ask your plumber first about code requirements, but most locales will permit homeowners to convert their grey water-such as the used water from your washing machine-into a valuable renewable resource. Just this one source of used water can add up to hundreds of gallons a year in the average household that would normally go right down the drain, but instead, could be perfectly used for outdoor watering (plants don’t mind the leftover suds at all). Depending on the position of your grey water source and the external water storage tank that’ll be required, a knowledgeable plumbing professional can probably have such a system set up for you in just a day.

Shower In Green

Having a heat recovery drain installed on a shower can save serious energy over time. Basically, this system works as a heat exchanger, using the heat from the hot water that pours down the drain to pre-heat the cold water as it flows into the water heater. A qualified plumber can explain this technology to you in detail. Depending on the location of your shower and water heater, and if access is easy, this can often be a really simple job.

While the plumber is there, have a new water saving showerhead installed. The technology used with the latest generation of green showerheads has improved immensely over the last several years-the performance and comfort these provide is really great. At the same time, they will significantly reduce your home’s water usage.

Improve Window Efficiency

When it comes to keeping your home as greenly efficient as possible, it’s important to realize that one of the largest sources of energy loss in the home is through the windows. Having old, leaky windows replaced with new energy saving (and solar blocking) units will usually pay for the cost of the improvements over a span of a few years. All the while, you’ll be doing the green thing by reducing energy waste.

If new windows aren’t quite the answer for your home, having quality storm windows installed will often achieve a nice energy savings effect at a minimal cost. Also, while many folks don’t realize it, having new interior window treatments can also increase efficiency by remarkable levels. Ask a window treatment installer about shades with excellent insulating qualities-they really work, plus they offer a little bit of fresh, new style to your home too!

Again, going green-or at least trying to make your home as efficient as possible-comes with a lengthy list of attractive benefits. Why not take advantage of the rest of winter’s slow season to have your own green projects completed? The busyness that comes with springtime will be here before we know it!