How going green can help make your home safer and save you money

There are many ways to help your home be more environmentally friendly. But did you know that going green can also help you save money on utilities and possibly help you avoid costly home repairs in the future?

Here are a few ways being environmentally conscious improves the planet and can potentially help you save on home insurance:

• Install energy efficient plumbing. Updating older plumbing will help cut back on your water usage as well as lower the risk for water damage due to cracks, leaks or corrosion.
• Insulate your pipes. Adding pipe insulation is one of the best ways to protect your pipes from cold Canadian winters. As an added bonus, while you’re reducing risk of pipes freezing and bursting you’ll also be saving money on your utility bills.
• Upgrade your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. If your HVAC system is more than 15 years old, you might want to consider switching to a more efficient system. Updating your HVAC system will improve your home’s air quality as well as reduce the risk of fire. Insurance companies know that newer systems can lower risks for claims, which could translate to lower premiums.

TIP: Check your home or condo insurance for green coverage
If you need to make a home or condo insurance claim, you may be able to get environmentally friendly replacements - even if it's a more expensive option. For example, a washing machine with the ENERGY STAR certification is considered a green enhancement and could be covered by insurance.

Other green initiatives to help you save money

• Switch to LED light bulbs. These energy saving bulbs can help lower your energy bill and are also less likely to overheat and cause a fire.
• Unplug electric devices (when not in use). Electric toothbrushes, phone chargers, and laptops still consume electricity when plugged into the wall.
• Switch to paperless everything. From phone bills to bank statements, there’s almost always an option to go paperless. Most companies will charge you for sticking with paper anyways.
• Use a light timer. Going away and want to keep your home lit to deter intruders? Use a timer to set when indoor and outdoor lights turn on and off.
• Put on a sweater before turning up the heat. You’re bound to be cold inside if you’re only wearing a t-shirt. Bundle up before turning up the heat.
• Replace store-bought fertilizer with compost. Turning compost into usable fertilizer takes time and patience. It can take anywhere from 3-12 months to get to the desired consistency of natural fertilizer.
• Replace broken or old appliances with new energy efficient ones. Most appliances will last anywhere between 10-15 years. Thanks to better technology, you can save a lot of money on your utility bill with energy efficient appliances.

Did you know? The Government of Canada has an Energy Savings Rebate program. Ontarians are eligible to save up to 25% on items such as certified washers and dryers.

There are so many ways to be more environmentally friendly. Here are some other sustainable tips for at home and on the road. Making these changes will go a long way to improve the safety and energy efficiency of your home. And, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint which helps to combat climate change.