11 Ways to Make Your House Greener
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As a result, you can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your property. While the initial investment may be higher than traditional energy sources, the long-term savings on energy bills can make it worth the investment. Another way to make your property more eco-friendly is to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines. By harnessing renewable energy, you can reduce your reliance on non-renewable sources of energy like coal and oil. To start, it reduces the amount of water that needs to be pumped from the ground, which conserves energy. Second, it reduces the demand for municipal water supplies, which helps conserve water.
Perhaps one of the easiest changes to make in an eco-friendly house is to swap all your appliances for more energy efficient ones. Electrical equipment decreases in efficiency over the years, and anything that is older than 10 years old is likely costing you, and the environment, a lot more than you realise. For loft insulation, this can just be layered on top of what is already there, making the process as easy as possible. Are you looking for ways to live a greener, more eco-friendly life? There are tons of sustainable upgrades you can make to your home to reduce waste and minimize your impact on the environment.
Build Vertically
If you don’t have enough jars, you can get them second-hand or look at trade apps like Bunz or Facebook’s Marketplace. One area we never think about is the letterbox or mail slot. I realized this standing at my side door picking up my mail. You can also use a https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-make-your-home-more-environmentally-friendly/ magnetic seal that will create a constant seal. Using eco-friendly and green cleaning products is also a great way of reducing your impact on the environment. These products are made from natural ingredients and are better for your health and the environment.
- You won’t have to pay to heat and air condition a large amount of space and tiny homes use fewer materials in construction.
- Ultimately, though, it really makes a lot of sense to make the switch.
- Natural Reserves are getting depleted due to pollution and overexploitation.
Recycling can be as simple as sorting your trash into different bins, or you can take it a step further by composting food scraps and other organic materials. Solar panels have become more efficient, last longer, and are more repairable thanks to modern technology, so don’t be surprised if your solar panels last 25+ years. Making a home more eco-friendly is no longer a “go for broke” proposition.
Double-glaze your windows
I stash mine in the trunk, the glove box, and even under the seat. Also make sure you have tons of jars at home, if you are shopping in bulk and using bags you will need to store that food when you get home. Look in your fridge, I bet you have some glass you can reuse. You can also use these jars at the bulk shop for dry goods like lentils etc. I have forgotten my bags many times, so I started writing “BAGS” on my grocery list, it helped me a lot! Reusing jars saves a ton of resources as well, like water and energy used to create new ones.
- If you want to minimize the horizontal footprint of your home take advantage of building vertically.
- Check with your local municipality for more information or talk to the manufacturer about proper disposal.
- From habit adjustments to solar power, there are projects big and small for an eco friendly home.
- You can actually do this on your own, it’s cheap and super effective.
- Investing in the right energy-efficient light bulbs makes a huge difference.
You can do that by simply removing the extra bulbs or using individual spotlight lights or side lamps instead of having all the lights on at once. Alexa Amador is a writer, graphic designer, and murder-mystery junkie. She graduated from KSU in metro Atlanta with a bachelor’s degree in English and has been working as a Digital Marketing Specialist for LoadUp Technologies since 2019. When she isn’t writing helpful articles about ways to declutter our lives and homes, she’s likely enjoying a glass of wine, reading, gaming or going for walks with her huskimo. For example, mainstream paints can carry all kinds of volatile organic compounds that release toxins into the air.
Consider lawn mowers that don’t use gas
Unfortunately for burger fans, there’s no denying that animal agriculture has a significant impact on the environment. Even if going totally meat-free is out of the question, a few more meatless meals each week can seriously impact your carbon footprint. Americans have a chronic over-buying problem, which results in a great deal of food waste. The best way to avoid this food waste is to stop buying too much in the first place!
How can we make our home environment friendly?
- Look into the possibility of installing a smart meter.
- Invest in energy efficient light bulbs.
- Installing solar panels on your home.
- Insulate your home properly.
- Install underfloor heating.
- Keep house repairs local.
- Pick water-based paints.
Why have the heat blasting through the whole house when you can control it? Radiator valves are pretty inexpensive and are easy to install. Make sure you determine how much light you will need, No point in using a high-watt light if you don’t need to, it will use more energy. The Energy Star label will show the bulb’s brightness (in lumens), color (i.e. color temperature), lifespan, energy usage, and what it will cost to run it for a year. This information makes it easy to compare bulbs, especially if you’re considering bulbs of different types. Before buying any new items, take an inventory of your furnishings.
This means that a kitchen stove, refrigerator, clothes washer/dryer, or dishwasher that is 10 years old or older is most likely costing more in utility expenses than they are worth. According to the experts at Biofriendly Planet, “The curtains and blinds are not just for keeping nosy neighbors away. They are also there to keep the heat and cool air outside. If you don’t have a big tree to protect your home from the sun during the summer months, your home can feel like an oven. These homes are designed and built to use enough renewable energy that they offset the energy used to construct and run them. Using passive house technology and off-grid renewable energy plays a big part in making them sustainable.
- Energy-efficient windows are double-paned, meaning that they keep cold air in winter and heat out in the summer.
- Speaking of the oven, check the oven door every time you bake or cook something to be sure the oven door is properly closed.
- Not only does it reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment, but eco-friendly initiatives also make your home more attractive to potential tenants.
- Insulation can help keep the property cool in the summer and warm in the winter, reducing the need for heating and cooling systems.
- There’s just something super convenient about opting for plastic bags at the grocery store.
If a green roof isn’t an option, you can still make eco-conscious decisions for a more traditional roof. You could consider solar shingles, or opt for a roof made from recycled building materials, rubber or beverage cartons. Windows are aesthetically pleasing and they also lessen our energy consumption by taking advantage of sunshine as a light and heat source. Investing in good window shades is also a sustainable choice, helping to keep temperatures cooler in the summer without having to crank the AC. Making a sustainable home is done by adding a lot of little changes together to create a large impact!
Ask your electric provider about renewable energy options
A living wall or green roof can act as additional insulation and soundproofing for your home, as well as putting oxygen back into the air, with all those lovely plants. They also have the added benefit of looking really beautiful. The primary aim of building an eco-home is to construct a home that is very durable and has little effect on the environment. This feature reduces the cost of building and the cost of living in the house. The home looks newer for a long time and requires little repairs and maintenance. An eco-friendly house or greenhouse is built using resource-efficient and environmentally responsible materials and processes.
You can get a high-quality electric water heater for as little as $500. Installation is way easier too because there are no other requirements than a sufficient power source in your home. I’m not one to recommend upgrading all willy nilly, but it can save you a lot of money and power in the long run.
