We all want to live a greener and more environmentally friendly lifestyle. We’re militant in our recycling, we buy local produce rather than food that has been transported for miles, and we turn off electrical appliances rather than have them on standby mode; but there are more things that can be done in the home that will help the environment and save us money in the long run too. Here are five ways that we can be greener at home.
- Change Those Lightbulbs
If you still have incandescent bulbs lighting your home, next time you need to change them swap them out for LED light bulbs. They use less electricity, last hours longer so that they need replacing less and they emit more light. In comparison with the traditional incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs, they are 80% more efficient and lose only 5% of energy through heat.
- Check Your Appliances
Older appliances aren’t designed with your carbon footprint in mind. The technology used in more contemporary appliances makes them more efficient. For many items such as feature rich modern ceiling fans provide the user with more options than just on and off. You can select the speed at which they spin, a full range of dimming options and a reverse feature. You can control exactly how you want them to be used so that you don’t waste electricity. Your oven and refrigerator are other appliances that can also leak energy. Are the seals still intact? You need to check the seals on both the oven and refrigerator are maintained to perform at their most efficient. You use these appliances continually so the potential for energy wastage is high.
- Check Your Insulation
With winter fast approaching, you need to make sure that the insulation that you have in your attic is adequate. Did you know that it has a shelf-life too? While manufacturers say that insulation will last up to 80 or 100 years, that figure is for properties that have the ideal environment for it. If you’ve had a leak, for example, or there is mold present, or there is dust and debris in your attic space, it won’t be as effective.
- Check Your Drapes
Your drapes are not just an accessory to your interior design. They perform several functions, such as stopping a passing audience from peering in, and they can be used to regulate the temperature of the room in which they hang. If you have blinds, you’re unable to keep the heat from outside in the summer from getting in, and the heat from inside in winter escaping. Invest in heavy drapes to help you maintain the temperature that you want, rather than relying on heating or air conditioning.
- Check Your Clothes
It seems so very obvious, but the clothes that you choose to wear at home can significantly affect your bills. With winter on its way, you should dress for it. The temptation is always to just turn up the thermostat and get the house’s temperature to warm you up, but you really can keep warmer by dressing for the season. Wear many thin layers that will trap the air warmed by your body. Turning down your thermostat just a couple of degrees will save you 10% of your winter bills, and save electricity too.
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Another way to live more sustainable is to start using alternative sources of energy. E.g., solar energy. Solar energy is a renewable source, and the extraction of this type of energy has less impact on the environment.
While installing solar panels may seem expensive, you can qualify for tax credit that will greatly reduce the payback period of the panels. Read more about this in the article: http://www.edelmaninc.com/how-efficient-are-solar-panels/.
I like your ideas about home “green” improvements. You may also want to check your cooling and heating systems just to make sure they work properly and efficiently. Speaking of heating, these things may signal breakdowns: https://www.sandersandjohnson.com/time-furnace-tuneup/.
Basically, efficient HVAC systems consume much less energy to function, making your home more sustainable. Remember to do such check-ups on a regular basis, once a year or so.
Thanks for covering such an important topic and sharing such great ideas! I would also add such a thing as installing eco-friendly plumbing fixtures.
Have you ever heard of low-flow toilets or low-flow shower heads?
Even though they are more costly than traditional plumbing fixtures, they do worth the investment. By investing in such items, you can drastically reduce your water consumption, and, as a result, your water bills.
Thank you for covering such an important topic. Another thing you can do to make your home greener is to replace traditional plumbing fixtures with modern eco-friendly ones. For instance, install a low-flow shower head. Although it’s a little bit more expensive than a traditional shower head, it will pay off as you will get a lower water bill. Moreover, by investing in such things, people help the planet.
Hey, great tips! I see that you mention attic insulation – you’re totally right! Insulation on exposed parts of your plumbing system can help protect them and allow them to work more efficiently. Insulation on your hot water pipes helps keep the water heated by preventing heat loss, which can lower your utility bills. Insulating your water heater can increase its energy efficiency. If your water heater tank feels warm to the touch, insulation can reduce standby heat loss by 25 to 45%. Water heater insulating blankets easily wrap around the tank for quick insulation.
Thank you for sharing! I see you’re suggesting insulating the attic, but you didn’t say anything about doors and windows, although air leaks from old low-quality doors and windows can account for 30% of a home’s heating bills. Check them on gaps and holes and seal them if necessary.
Good suggestions! And as for appliances, not only do old and failed appliances consume more energy to function but also emit gases harmful to nature and humans. It is especially true of refrigeration equipment.
Thank you for such great ideas! if you have a pool in your backyard, I would also suggest converting your chlorine pool into a salt water pool. It’s not exactly about “getting home greener”, but still worthwhile, as salt water pool don’t require using aggresive chemicals to keep water clean. Hence it’s more eco-frindly.