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7 ways to make your home more sustainable and save money

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2011, file photo, a wind turbine is seen at the First Wind project in Sheffield, Vt.Two key lawmakers say Vermont won't meet its goal of getting 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2017. And the chairman and vice chairwoman of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee say they're scaling back a goal of 30 percent renewable by 2025 that had been outlined in legislation pending before the panel. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
Making your home more sustainable Everyday, the 7 billion people in the world draw on resources, such as energy and water, to power their lives. Naturally, this takes a toll on the environment. But Mike Dieterich, CEO of Renew & Sustain Consulting and author of “Renew and Sustain: A cutting edge approach to being socially responsible, environmentally conscious, and incredibly profitable for businesses, schools, and government,” says if everyone reduced demand for these resources, the environment would be in much better shape. “There are a lot of strategies people can utilize at home to help reduce their consumption of resources and energy, which translates into a reduction on the impact in the environment,” he says. Many of the at-home changes are small, and while some require an investment, they all save you money in the long-run. In the following slides, Dieterich offers his best tips to make your home more sustainable. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
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FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2011, file photo, a wind turbine is seen at the First Wind project in Sheffield, Vt.Two key lawmakers say Vermont won't meet its goal of getting 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2017. And the chairman and vice chairwoman of the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee say they're scaling back a goal of 30 percent renewable by 2025 that had been outlined in legislation pending before the panel. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot)
Convention goers look at bulbs at the LightFair trade show Wednesday, May 18, 2011, in Philadelphia. Two leading makers of lighting products are showcasing LED bulbs that are bright enough to replace energy-guzzling 100-watt light bulbs set to disappear from U.S. stores in January. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Adjusting Home Temperature
Contractor working on window in new home
MIAMI - APRIL 16:  An energy star washing machine is seen for sale at the Best Buy store on April 16, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Today the state of Florida started their federally funded 20 percent discount for purchases of Energy Star-rated dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, freezers, tankless gas water heaters and one-room air conditioners. The state has $17.5 million total available and the program runs until the money runs out or April 25th.  (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Herbal plants in carton, close-up
In this Sept. 13, 2009 image released by Alice Snider, a decorated rain barrel, “Butterfly Garden,”  is connected to a downspout in a backyard, where it will capture rainwater for watering garden beds. Rain barrel usage is on the rise around the country, according to gardening and conservation experts.  (AP Photo/Alice Snider)
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