13 tips to green your home

AIRTIGHT DOORS AND WINDOWS
4 In the wintertime, install transparent plastic window covering. The air trapped between the window and the plastic acts as insulation if it fills a space measuring at least three to four centimetres.

5 If you change your windows, opt for casement or awning models, which open, respectively, like a door or the trunk of a car. Casement and awning windows are more airtight than both double-hung or sliding windows, where the first pane of glass slides over the other. As well, opt for double- or triple-pane windows rather than single-pane windows. The air (or argon) between the panes acts as a natural insulation. Windows with low-emissivity glazing are also a good option: They are covered with a thin metallic layer, invisible to the naked eye, which keeps the heat inside during the winter and outside in the summer.

6 Think twice about purchasing glass doors, which do not insulate as effectively as their  steel or wooden counterparts. The same goes for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) doors: While they insulate well against cold, they emit chlorine when exposed to ultraviolet rays.

LESS WATER WASTED
7 If you plan on changing your toilet, you might want to consider a dual-flush style. These models use three or six litres of water to empty the toilet bowl rather than the standard 13 litres.

8 Two devices help to reduce water consumption: Tap aerators decrease the volume of water used, while a flow switch between the shower head and the water pipe serves to interrupt the flow of water for a short time while you lather up.