We can all be a little more eco-friendly in our everyday lives – and it doesn’t have to be difficult, time-consuming, or expensive. Although it can be easier said than done to implement changes that last, making your home more sustainable is a great way to live a greener life.
Start with the basics – recycling and composting. You’d be surprised how many people don’t recycle or compost at home. Once you have the basics down, you can start to incorporate other changes, like using energy-efficient appliances or solar power.
Every little bit counts when it comes to saving the environment. Here are some easy ways that you can make your home greener!
Live Closer to Work
If you’re about to buy your first home or just looking to move, try to pick a location close to public transportation, your workplace, and other places you frequent. This way, you can walk or ride your bike instead of driving everywhere. You’ll save on gas and help reduce pollution and traffic.
Of course, this isn’t always possible, but it’s something to consider if you have the option. I’m not telling you to sell your house and move to be closer to work, but it’s worth considering if you’re in the market for a new place.
Besides being better for the environment, walking or biking to work can also be great for your health, and you may have more time to enjoy your commute instead of being stuck in traffic.
Choose Greener Energy Sources
Greener energy sources are all around us, but we often don’t take advantage of them. Solar, wind, and water power are all renewable energy sources that can help reduce your carbon footprint.
If you have the option, consider using solar panels to power your home. Solar power is a great renewable energy source that can help you save money on your energy bill and reduce your carbon footprint.
The initial investment can be pricey, but solar panels will eventually pay for themselves. In addition, solar panels increase the value of your home, so it’s a wise investment even if you don’t plan on staying in your house for the long haul.
If solar panels aren’t an option for you, there are other ways to choose greener energy sources. You could also look into wind energy. If you live in an area with strong winds, you could install a wind turbine to generate electricity for your home. You could also look into water power. If you live near a river or stream, you could generate electricity with a water wheel for your home.
Besides, try to take advantage of the season’s natural light. In the winter, open up your curtains during the day to let in the sunlight and heat your home naturally. Do the opposite and close your curtains to keep your home cool in the summer. You can also invest in energy-efficient light bulbs, which use less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Conserve Water
Water is one of our most valuable resources, but we often take it for granted. There are many ways to conserve water at home.
One way to conserve water is to fix any leaks in your plumbing. A leaky faucet can waste a lot of water over time, so it’s important to fix any leaks as soon as you can. You should also make sure that your toilets are running properly. If your toilet is leaking, you could be wasting hundreds of gallons of water each month.
Another way to conserve water is to water your plants during the cooler hours of the day, such as early morning or evening. Watering your plants in the middle of the day can cause evaporation, so you’ll have to water your plants more often.
You can also save water by using a rain barrel to collect rainwater. This way, you can use the rainwater to water your plants instead of tap water. However, remember to check your local regulations before collecting rainwater, as some states have laws against it. You’ll also want to know if the rainwater in your area is safe to use for watering plants. Usually, it’s perfect for most plants, but it’s always best to check to be sure.
Other Ways to Go Green at Home
Reducing your carbon footprint at home is important, but it’s not the only thing you can do to help the environment. You can also reduce your carbon footprint by recycling and composting. Recycling helps reduce waste and conserve resources while composting helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
You can also compost food scraps and yard waste. If you don’t have a lot of space, you can even compost indoors. A Bokashi bin is an excellent way to compost indoors. You’ll need two containers to rotate since the composting process takes two weeks.
If you’re into DIY projects, you can also make your own clothes and cleaning products. Making your clothes is a great way to reduce textile waste and save money. You can also make your cleaning products, which are often just as effective as store-bought cleaners, without harmful chemicals.
When I was a kid, my mother used to collect small pieces of textiles from a tailor nearby to make clothes for me. It was fun seeing her being creative with the design and color combination. Not only did she save money, but she also contributed to saving the environment.
These days, there are a lot of green cleaning products available on the market. If you want to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, you can make your cleaning products at home. All you need are some simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, such as baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice. A quick Google search will give you plenty of recipes for DIY cleaning products.
You can also save money and energy by using a clothesline to dry your clothes instead of a clothes dryer. Clothes dryers use a lot of energy, so hanging your clothes to dry is a great way to save energy and money. However, keep in mind that a fully-loaded dishwasher will use less water than washing dishes by hand. So, the next time you start your dishwasher, make sure to fill it up!
The Bottom Line
Living a greener life doesn’t have to be difficult. You can start really small by bringing your water bottle and shopping bags to the store. You can also reduce your carbon footprint by recycling, composting, and using a clothesline. And if you’re feeling ambitious, you can even make your own clothes and cleaning products. Small things count.
Whatever you do, remember that we don’t have Planet B!
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