BUDGET Low-Cost Green Remodeling (NAPSA)—Want to go green without spending a lot of greenbacks? Here are some inexpensive, Earth-friendly ways to update your house that can ultimately save you cash: Cedar-Lined Closet Storage Area Naturally Protects Clothes You can reduce clutter in your primary closet, create a moreefficient storage area and naturally protect your expensive clothes and blankets from destructive pests by lining a secondary closet or attic area with cedar panels. Aromatic Eastern Redcedar has been proven in an Auburn University study to repel silverfish that like to eat cotton, linen, rayon and even book bindings. The cedar also repels roaches and clothes moths. Clothes moth larvae feed on wool, fur, leather, paper, cotton, linen, silk and synthetic fibers. The 4’ x 8’ panels can easily be nailed to the walls in a short amount of time and the cedar scent keeps your clothes smelling fresh. “All you have to do is lightly sand the panels every two years to release the cedar oil in the wood to naturally repel the insects,” says HGTV and CedarSafe home improvement expert Pat Simpson. Cost of cedar panel installation: about $150 and up depending on the size of the storage area. Visit cedarsafeclosets.com for details. Conserve Water and Save Energy Water-efficient showerheads are an inexpensive investment that will pay for themselves in just a few short months. Accord- You can reduceclutter in your primary closet, create a moreefficient storage area and naturally protect your expensive clothes and blankets from destructive pests by lining a secondary closet or attic area with cedar panels. ing to greenbuilding.com, showers account for about 18 percent of indoor water use and 37 percent of hot water use in a home. A high-performance showerhead that sprays one to 1.5 gallons per minute will cut water use by up to 60 percent versus a traditional showerhead. Programmable thermostats ($40-$170) can also pay for themselves. Energy Star says a programmable unit will shave about $180 per yearoff of your powerbill. For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, tankless water heaters can be 24 to 34 percent more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. They can be 8 to 14 percent more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water—around 86 gallons per day. Cost: $450 to $1,000. Visit eere.energy.gov for more information.
