It is good news that green living has become increasingly popular in recent years. Being more environmentally conscious not only saves you money, but you can also help develop a sustainable environment. There are many budget-friendly and less time-consuming projects that one can do at home to make it a greener place to be.
Here are some ways you can make your home greener and more sustainable:
1. Change your lightbulbs
Investing in the right type of lightbulbs can make a significant difference in your home. It is tempting to use incandescent bulbs, but LED bulbs are the best alternative. Not only do these lightbulbs make your home more environmentally friendly, they also use less power and last longer and save money in the long run.
2. Make your compost
Instead of throwing your kitchen scraps or leftover food in the trash can, turn them into compost. You will be amazed at how much food you throw away that is easy to recycle. Composting can be clean, tidy and odorless. Put a trash can in your yard and stash away litter. Watch your supply loads shrink.
3. Use solar panels
Solar panels are essential for any eco home. Thanks to technological advances, installation costs are minimal. In addition, the federal government is offering tax incentives to homeowners interested in converting to solar energy. However, it is important that an industry professional analyze your home to see if it is possible to use solar panels.
Some important aspects to investigate are:
- Local climate
- Your roof
- Tree population
4. Greening your home
Indoor plants help improve the air quality in your home by reducing carbon dioxide and absorbing airborne toxins such as benzenes and formaldehyde. They also make your home look nicer and more welcoming. Consider using snake plants, spider plants, and rubber trees as these are some of the easiest to grow and offer the best indoor air quality benefits. It takes responsibility for taking care of plants, but it's a good thing.
5. Efficient window treatments
While keeping the noisy neighbors away, curtains and blinds also help regulate outside heat and cool air. Have a curtain and Window with internal blinds Upgrading is a definite way to keep the temperature up and make your home greener. The decision to use the air conditioning all day is not possible. Another option would be to add more oversized windows to your home to optimize natural light and improve air circulation year round.
6. Use natural household cleaning products
This might not sound very easy, but it is, and it will undoubtedly save you money. Plus, fewer chemicals get into your water supply, which reduces exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Most cleaning products contain a lot of chemicals. It can be worth your time making your own natural cleaning products at home. You create products that you know all of the ingredients in and you produce less plastic waste by not throwing away your plastic containers. Some of the simple recipes include:
- Antibacterial detergents – 1 liter of hot water and orange essential oils, ¼ cup of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- Window washers – 2 cups of warm water, ¼ cup of vinegar, and tree oil
- Room spray – 2 cups of warm water and a lavender-scented oil (or whatever fragrance you'd prefer for your home)
7. Wash laundry in cold water
If you're lucky enough to have a washing machine, it's important to note that it uses 90% of the energy to heat water. The hot water slowly weakens your fabric and makes light-colored clothing less colorful. Try using the cold water setting to skip the healing process. It helps clothes last longer and controls carbon dioxide emissions. There is no need to use the hot water setting unless you are dealing with stubborn stains such as oil. If the cold water setting does not work for you, be satisfied with the hot water setting.
8. Dry your clothes outside
There is something special about drying in the fresh air. Hanging your clothes outside will make your bedding and clothes last longer. There is no need to have a yard or yard to dry your clothes. You can easily install a clothes horse on your balcony.
9. Use a smart thermostat
A programmable thermostat helps you monitor your cooling and heating systems. A smart thermostat with eco-mode setting automatically lowers the temperature even when you are not at home. This also reduces the cost of electricity bills and makes your home more environmentally friendly.
10. Make smart kitchen moves
If you are a coffee lover, use a filter coffee maker instead of a coffee maker. Pod coffeemakers are not eco-friendly in that they use pods, while with a filter coffee maker, you only need ground coffee. You can also swap out your oven for a toaster. For example, if you're toasting bread, a toaster is more efficient because it uses less energy and gets the job done faster. Check the oven door every time you bake the oven to avoid significant heat loss. You can also minimize food waste by having the right meal plans and properly storing the food. With less time and effort, you can reduce your family's carbon footprint and make your home greener.
About the author
This article was provided by Jennifer Bell, a freelance writer, blogger, dog lover, and avid beach goer who operates out of southern New Jersey.
