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Green Living RSS

Planting your garden? We can help you go greener by saving water while your veggies grow. And while you're here, check out our eco-friendly guide for freshening your home: Spring Cleaning 101.

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SPRING INTO GREEN CLEANING
Green Clean Countertops and Keep Food Prep Safe from Chemicals
HOMEMADE CLEANER TESTS
Which Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe is Best?
HOW TO PLANT A WATER-EFFICIENT GARDEN
Gorgeous Drought-Resistant Plants with Vivid Color
QUICK WAYS TO BOOST EFFICIENCY
DIY Home Energy Audit in 6 Easy Steps
MORE IN GREEN LIVING
Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?
Do You Know Which Light Bulb to Buy?
Why Fake Grass is Gaining Popularity
Refrigerator a Top Germ Spot in Your Home
Which Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe is Best?
Recycling Homes, Even the Floors
Which Homemade Dishwasher Soap Recipe is Best?
Home Owners Like to Think They’re Green
What You Don't Know About Using Salvaged Materials
Earn Tax Credits for Home Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Owners of Energy-Efficient Homes One-Third Less Likely to Default on Mortgage
Cleaning Survey Reveals Consumers’ ‘Dirty’ Little Secrets
How to Keep Your House Cool Without AC
The Neglected Home Repair That Can Cost You $100 or More a Year
Are Smart Meters Dangerous?
Homes in Neighborhoods with Protected Open Space Bringing Higher Sale Prices
Tips for Choosing the Right Water Heater
Best Indoor Plants for Cleaning the Air
Home Heating and Cooling Systems to Get New Labels
Home Buyers Focused on Increasing Efficiency and Comfort
Tax Credits for Solar Water Heaters
  • Saves: $160/yr (hot water bill)
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Should the Energy Department Tell You What Kind of Furnace to Buy?
Heloise Shares Hints on Creating a Flu-Free Home
Reduce Your Lung Cancer Risk in 2013 by Testing Your Home for Radon Gas
When Home is an Energy-Efficient Bus
Tax Credits for Installing Biomass Stoves
  • Saves: $64-$255/yr (heating bills)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Window Coverings
Tax Credits for Residential Fuel Cells
  • Saves: $890/yr (energy bills)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Is a Wind Turbine Right for You?
  • Saves: $650/yr (70% electric cost/yr)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Tax Credits for Small Wind Energy Systems
  • Saves: $54/mo (off avg electric bill)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Tax Credits for Installing Solar Panels
  • Saves: $330-$660/yr (electric bill)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Appliance Buying Guide: Water Heaters
  • Saves: $300/yr (off energy bills)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Which States Offer Sales Tax Holiday for Energy-Efficiency, Hurricane Products?
Online Calcs Estimate Solar’s Payback for Your Home (Hint: It’s Awhile)
Is Antibacterial Soap a Friend or Foe to Your Health and Home?
Updated LED Bulb is a Looker
Targeted Energy-Efficiency Tax Incentives Have History of Cost Savings Success
Holiday Hotline Helps with Carpet and Sofa Spill-mergencies
3 Ways To Have a Merry Greenmas
Congress Creates New Water Heater Energy Efficiency Ratings
Calculate How Much Those Holiday Lights Will Cost You
You Recycle, They Don’t. How Will You Stay Friends?
8 Ways to Cut Your Holiday Energy Bill
5 Ways to Repurpose Take-Out Containers, Utensils, and Chopsticks
Pet Projects That Repurpose Unwanted Stuff
Survey Finds Americans Have ‘Learned Helplessness' in the Face of Rising Utility Bills
Clever Craft Ideas for Repurposing Light Bulbs
How to Get Rid of Stuff and Declutter Your Life
An Eco-Friendly Home That Really Gets Around
9 Ways to Avoid Gobbling Up Energy on Thanksgiving
The Biggest Air Leak in Your House You Don’t Know About
10 Ways to Save Money, Cut Energy Use, and Protect Your Health This Winter
7 Ways to Repurpose Old Electronics
An Air Purifier That Floats and Glows in the Dark
How to Replace Weather Stripping
9 Hobbit Homes Worthy of Middle-earth
8 Tips to Make Your Remodel More Energy Efficient and Your Home Healthier
7 Clever Uses for Onions
We Give Downton Abbey an Energy Makeover
Fragrant Plants That Will Keep Your Home Smelling Good
New Wallpaper Might Cure Sick Walls
A DIY Solar Heater for Garages and Sheds
How NOT to Install a Rain Barrel
Do You Really Need to Clean Your Air Ducts?
A Three-Wheeled Toilet Bike Powered by Poop
Fed Tells Replacement Window Makers to Back Energy-Savings Claims With Evidence
How to Get Kids to Save Energy
10 Green Improvements for Under $100 Each
5 Simple and Gratifying Extreme Green Trends
About Low-VOC and Zero-VOC Paints
Google’s Goats and 13 More Amazing Facts from Around the World
Study on Green Homes in California Shows How Hard it is to Value Improvements
How to Decide Which Plants Get Water During a Drought
'Drafty House Rehab' Giveaway Winners Announced!
Green or Not? 10 Green Facts to Test Your Eco-Smarts
Allergies at Home
Window Film Gets the Recognition It Deserves for Saving Energy
How Much Did Our Drafty House Rehab Save Us?
Stay Cool Without Going Broke: Top 10 Summer Energy-Saving Tips
LEDs Aren't Cheap: Here’s How to Get the Most for Your Money
How I Learned to Stop Wasting Energy and Love My Utility
Building Codes Getting Tougher in Effort to Save Energy
6 Ways to Cut Summer Energy Use and Still Beat the Heat
Yikes! Asbestos in the House! What to Do? (Closed)
5 Plants You (Almost) Never Have to Water
IDing the Drafts in Our Drafty Old House + $100 Giveaway (Closed)
Is Failing to be Green the Same as Smoking?
Here’s How Your Couch Could be Hazardous to Your Health
It’s Drafty, It’s Old, but It’s True Love — and a Chance to Win $100 (Closed)
New Appliance Standards Will Save Home Owners Hundreds on Utility Bills, DOE Says
Gorgeous Drought-Resistant Plants with Vivid Color
10 Tips for Shrinking Your Energy Bill
Let’s Make Every Day ‘Give Your Stuff Away Day’
Swingin’ Ways to Reuse an Iron Gate or Fence
6 Green Terms: Which Ones Can You Trust?
6 Ways to Reduce Your Air Pollution Footprint
It’s Not True! Incandescent Light Bulbs Aren’t Banned
‘Plug-and-Play’ Solar Energy Systems on the Way for Home Owners
10 Clever Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide
5 Easy and Cheap Green Things to Do
11 Clever Ways to Use Salvaged Building Materials in Your Home
What’s Your Earth Day Resolution?
Street Paved With … Toilets?
Wow! A Vending Machine that Helps You Get Rid of Stuff
Leak? This is the Week to Plug It
Why Frank Lloyd Wright Would be Happy Today
Would You Convert Your Toilet to Dual-Flush for $20?
Feds Say Window Marketers Exaggerated Energy Savings
Free Veggies for All! Should We Follow the British Example?
A Small Bathroom Makeover: Before and After
What Chemicals Lurk in Our Home’s Building Materials?
Small Bath Goes from Drab to Fab for Under $3,000
Start a Shared Tool Co-op
Ideas to Make Your Water-Hogging Bath Water-Wise
How to Be Energy Efficient at Home: It’s Not What You Do, But ...
Are You Looking for Energy Savings in All the Wrong Places?
Can This Bathroom Be Saved?
Burned Out on CFLs? We Address the Real Issues and Solutions
7 Green Building Predictions for 2012
Celebrate National Radon Action Month — You’ll Breathe Easier
Balancing Humidity with a Hygrometer and Whole-House Humidifier
Garage Door Fences Don’t Make Good Neighbors
On the 3rd Day of Christmas ... New Low-Flow Shower Heads
Holiday Cleaning: Tips for a Guest-Ready Home
Solar Christmas Lights: Should You Make the Switch?
Smart Ways to Make Windows More Energy-Savvy
An Unexpected Upside from Occupy L.A.’s Trampling of City Hall Lawn
A Solar Air Heater Can Save You $300 a Year or More
Yes, You Can Recycle Those Campaign Lawn Signs
Is Your Carpet Pad Making You Sick?
Opinion: Watch Out for Misleading Energy Savings Claims
Energy Efficiency: Pick Upgrades that (Actually) Drive Down Costs
Home Sweet Solar Home: A House Finds a Family
Massachusetts is Most Energy-Efficient State, North Dakota is Least Efficient
Rooftop Expansion: Anyone Up for a Game of Bocce?
Saving Money Still Trumps Green — Unless It’s DIY Green
Little Time or Money to Get Creative This Halloween? Try a Costume Swap
Are You Really Saving Power with Your Energy-Efficient Upgrades?
Going Green: Q&A with Cleaning Coach Leslie Reichert
Looking for Ideas to Reuse Old Items? Check out IKEA Hackers
Energy-Saving Projects to Strengthen Family Ties, Reduce Stress
New ‘Most Efficient’ Label Adds Tier to Energy Star Ratings
Tips for Shopping for Salvaged Building Materials
Good Vibrations: Solar Water Pump That’s Music To Our Ears
4 Great Green Apps for Your Home
7 Ways to Be a Better Recycler
Give Your Old CDs a New Purpose — Plus 3 More Tips To Repurpose Old Items
How to Buy Energy-Saving Appliances
Condo Radon: Found Above the Ground Floor
FSC-Certified Wood and SFI-Certified Wood: What's the Difference?
Massachusetts Makes Interest-Free Loans for Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
8 Ways to Trim Your Summer Electric Bill
Got Leaky Windows? 3 Low-Cost Tips to Fix Them
Green in a Box: Is It Worth It?
The WaterSense Label: What to Look For
Castile Soap: An Eco-Friendly Cleaner at a Budget Price
Celebrating Earth Day Begins at Home
Don’t Leave Your Compost Behind: Tote the Garden Gold With You
Heirloom Vegetables: A Smart Reason to Grow Your Own
5 Tips to Create a Green Neighborhood
10 Tips for Saving Water in the Garden
A $3 Tip to Stop Squabbles About Water Usage
5 Wacko Ways to Save Water In (and Out of) the Loo
Energy Rebates From Your Utility Help You Manage Rising Energy Costs
Radon Gas Mitigation: Let’s Breathe Easy
Radon Test: DIY or Professional?
Asbestos Removal: Caution and Costs
Solar Access Rights Help You Catch Some Rays
10 Ways to Prevent Costly Mold Damage to Your Home
5 Tips for Saving Energy in the Family Room
Cooking in Compost: Gross or Handy?
No Sweat: Programmable Thermostats Reduce Your Energy Costs
Energy Monitors: Seeing is Believing — and Saving
Why Your Green Home Improvements Aren't Paying Off
Cut School Bus Idling to Improve Air Quality, Save Tax Dollars
Homes are Getting Smaller, More Energy Efficient
4 Dazzling Home Holiday Light Shows: They Cost HOW Much?!
9 Unexpected Energy (and Money) Savers
Green Clean Your Bathroom for Pennies
Green Cleaning Makes Showers and Baths Shine
7 Ways to Have an Eco-Friendly Christmas
Real Christmas Trees vs. Fake Christmas Trees: Which are Greener?
Walking Programs That Get You and Your Neighbors to Use Foot Power
  • Adds: $4,000-$34,000 (walkable locale)
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Boost Your Neighborhood’s Walkability
  • Adds: $4,000-$34,000 (walkable locale)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
What Would MacGyver Do? 4 Clever DIY Projects to Save Water, Energy, and Money
Does Walkability Raise Property Values?
  • Adds: $4,000-$34,000
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
HouseLogic Spotlight: Bargain Babe’s 8 Money-Saving Tips to Go Green
What Type of Energy Audit is Right for You?
5 Ways to Get Green Kitchen Cabinets
Water Heaters: 5 Tips for Saving Energy
Low-Flow Shower Head Features
Ultra Low-Flow Shower Heads: More with Less
  • Saves: $150 yr off water heating
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ATC Shower Valves and Low-Flow Shower Heads: Potential Problems
  • Saves: $150 yr off water heating
  • Read More
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Saving Water with a High-Efficiency Toilet
Green Clean Stovetop and Oven: You've Already Got What It Takes
Green Clean Sinks and Drains: Shine 'em Up and Clean 'em Out
Green Clean Your Refrigerator 3 Cool Ways
Green Clean Countertops and Keep Food Prep Safe from Chemicals
Geothermal Heat Pumps Tap Energy Just Below the Earth’s Surface
  • Saves: $607/yr (60% heat/cool cost/yr)
  • Read More
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Convert to Gas Heat to Save Money and Mother Earth
Low-VOC Paint Protects Health, Pocketbook
Green Window Cleaning Makes Glass Pane-fully Clear
Wood Stoves Burn Wood, Not Money
Linoleum for the Bathroom Floor: Earth-Friendly Beauty
Wood-Burning Fireplace Inserts Save Energy
Pellet-Burning Fireplace Inserts Use Renewable Energy and Provide Convenience
DIY Home Energy Audit in 6 Easy Steps
Energy-Efficient Fireplace Options
Is an Active Greywater System for You?
  • Saves: $5-$20/mo (water bill)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Is a Passive Greywater System for You?
  • Saves: $12/mo. (water bill)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Public Transportation Adds Value to Your Home
  • Saves: Up to $1,500/yr in gas costs
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Solar Pool Heaters Can Lower Energy Costs
Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternatives: Turf Grasses
Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternatives: Ground Cover
Start a Compost Pile
  • Saves: $100 (rather than buy 1 load)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Saving Money with Salvaged Building Materials
Start a Bartering Co-op
How to Help Expand Waste Recycling Programs
5 Programs for Improving Local Waste Recycling
Save Money with Energy-Efficient Window Coverings
  • Saves: $150/yr (energy cost)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
States Offer Cash Rebates for Clunker Appliances
  • Saves: Up to $135/yr (energy bills)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Save Water and Money with a Rain Barrel
  • Saves: $35/mo in summer
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Tax Credits for Geothermal Heat Pumps
  • Saves: $715/yr (utility bills)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Start a Christmas Tree Recycling Program
Claim Your Residential Energy Tax Credits
Your Guide to VOCs
How to Eliminate Mold from Your Home
6 Tips for Reducing Your VOC Exposure
Is Solar-thermal Hot Water for You?
  • Saves: $150/yr (50% avg hot water cost)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Is Geothermal Home Heating for You?
  • Saves: $607/yr (60% heat/cool cost/yr)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
10 Ways to Help Your Watershed
Water-Saving Irrigation Strategies
  • Saves: $70/yr off water bill
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Smart Options: Bathroom Flooring
8 Easy Ways to Seal Air Leaks Around the House
  • Saves: $350 on heating/cooling costs
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Plant Trees To Save Energy and Grow Value
Save Money by Beefing Up Your Insulation
  • Saves: $100-$660 off heating/cooling
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
12 Tips for Saving Energy in Your Home Office
  • Saves: Up to $194/yr (w/o computer)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Add a Wood Stove for Energy Efficiency
  • Saves: $64-$255/yr (using zoned heating)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Low-Flow Toilets: How to Choose
  • Saves: $90/yr off water bill
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
7 Tips for Saving Energy with Home Lighting
Green Cleaning Products for the Bathroom
  • Saves: $4 (mix own vs. buying)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
A Healthy Shine: Green Cleaning Products for Your Kitchen
  • Saves: $4 (mix own vs. buying)
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
3 Small Steps to More Sustainable Living
Prioritize Tasks After an Energy Audit
  • Saves: $110-$660/yr
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
Professional Energy Audits: The Costs and Benefits
Conduct Your Own Energy Audit
Low-Flow Showerheads: How to Choose
  • Saves: $150/yr off water heating
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
10 Tips for Saving Energy in the Kitchen
  • Saves: Up to $123/yr
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
When to Replace Your Appliance
Replace Old Windows with Energy-Efficient Models
Smart Growth: A Key to Sustainable Development
Saving Electricity: Reduce Standby Power Consumption
  • Saves: Up to $100/yr
  • Read More
  • Added to Binder
NEW-HOME TIPS
High end kitchen cabinets in a newly built home

HouseLogic's experts share insights to help you get the most value when you buy new construction.

Custom Touches — Best New-Home Upgrades for the Money

Why and How to Plan for Future Home Needs Now

SMART METER DEBATE RAGES
SmartMeter on the outside of a home in Cincinnati

What are smart meters? And what do they mean for you? Find out more about these hotly debated devices and tell us where you stand on the issue.

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