Climate change and energy costs can make it seem challenging to manage your home responsibly. The choices you make about protecting the environment now may contribute to a better future. In the meantime, you need everything to work well and be convenient for daily life. Consider ways to make your home a sustainable building.
1. Install Solar Panels
Solar power has become a more accessible alternative for many homeowners. After the upfront cost of panels and installation, you can recoup the expenditure in years of savings. This energy source also makes your home less susceptible to power outages when the local grid goes down. Adhere to ladder safety guidelines and follow directions carefully if you install any panels by yourself.
2. Conserve Power
Turn off lights and devices when they are not in use. Modern power strips can be bought with sensors that allow them to turn off during periods when none of the connected devices are needed.
3. Switch to LED Light Bulbs
LED light bulbs last longer and draw less energy than traditional fluorescent bulbs. These lightbulbs can stay bright for years before needing to be changed. They may reduce fire risk due to staying cool or barely warm to the touch after hours of use. Try different shapes and levels of brightness to accommodate your home.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
Household appliances can require huge amounts of energy and even create safety hazards. Look for high-efficiency clothes washers and dryers and always check the dryer lint trap for fibers. Replace your old refrigerator with a certified energy-efficient version. A smooth induction stovetop can quickly heat just one pan and does not stay too hot when you’re done cooking.
5. Air-Dry Your Clothes
A classic clothesline is always in style. Most home goods stores carry collapsible drying racks that can be stored away in a closet or under a bed when not in use. Letting your clothes air dry both conserves energy and protects them from shrinking. You can help the environment by creating less strain on the system, reducing fire hazards, and making your favorite clothes last longer.
6. Try Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
The greywater produced through cleaning at your kitchen sink or rinsing off in the shower impacts your local water supply. Read the labels for your household cleaning products and research whether they are harmful to the environment. You may want to switch to tested biodegradable products that emit harmful chemicals.
7. Regulate Temperature
Smart home technology can assist in regulating your home’s temperature throughout the day. Adjust settings so that your heating and air conditioning systems work less hard when you are away. Systems that can sense when you enter and exit the room make sustainability seamless.
8. Stop Drafts
Do you feel a breeze inside? Your windows and doors may not be well sealed. Stop drafts with special tape or put in new weatherstripping. It could be time to think about replacing original single pane windows with an updated option.
9. Source Pre-Loved Furniture
Everything old is new again. A solid wood bed frame, dining set, or clean sectional sofa can be found used for less money than store-bought. Check local social media marketplace listings, Craigslist, and eBay. Yard sales or estate sales can also be good places to look. Purchasing a gently used item close to home means less waste and less shipping-related emissions.
10. Start Composting
Try composting in a kitchen bin or your backyard. You can make the soil more hospitable to plants with homemade fertilizer and minimize your contribution to landfills.
Let your home be a bastion of positive change for the environment and your bank account.
