Areavoices.com: Low-cost ways to make your home energy efficient

A common perception of "going green" is that it requires a big investment: either you have to spend a lot of money on something like an energy efficient HVAC system and expensive CFLs for your whole house, or you have to invest a lot of time researching product ingredient lists and do-it-yourself projects.

While these things all play key roles in moving toward a more sustainable lifestyle, there are plenty of things you can do in your home right now to make your home more energy efficient that will save you money, shrink your home's carbon footprint, and won't cost you a dime.

You're probably even doing some of these already without realizing how "green" you really are!

1. Let your dishes air dry. A dishwasher uses more energy to dry dishes than to wash them. If your dishwasher doesn't have an automatic air-dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and prop the door open to let moisture escape.

2. Keep heating vents clear of furniture and clutter, allowing air to circulate freely.

To read the rest of this post from Color Me Green, visit colormegreen.areavoices.com.