Living in an eco-friendly home not only helps the environment, but it can also save you money on your energy bills and create a healthier living space for you and your family. There are many simple and effective ways to make your home more eco-friendly, and in this article, we will explore 9 of the most impactful ways to do so.
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Insulate your home properly
Proper insulation is crucial for keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, which can help reduce your energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint. If your home is not properly insulated, heat can escape through the walls, floors, and roof, resulting in higher energy bills and a less comfortable living space. On the other hand, if your home is well-insulated, it will retain heat in the winter and stay cooler in the summer, which can save you money on energy costs and reduce your reliance on fossil fuels. There are many types of insulation available, including fiberglass, cellulose, and foam, and it is important to choose the right type for your home and climate.
Use energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs
Appliances and light bulbs are some of the biggest energy consumers in the home, so switching to energy-efficient models can make a significant impact on your energy usage and carbon footprint. Energy-efficient appliances are labeled with the Energy Star logo, which means they meet certain energy efficiency standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy. Energy-efficient light bulbs, such as LED and CFL bulbs, use less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, which can save you money on energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint.
Install energy efficient doors and windows
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One of the worst ways to lose money is by not having tightly sealed windows and doors. This allows cold air to come into your home and warm air from your central heating to leave, meaning that you have the heating on for longer because you are losing much of its effect. This is bad both for your wallet and the environment, so you should look into getting energy efficient french doors. This will stop your heating from leaving and will result in a much warmer and cozier home for you during the cold winter months.
It is also a good idea to always have all of your doors and windows shut during winter because otherwise, you are actively letting the heat that you have built up in your home leave. If you have to open the windows in your home for fresh air then a good idea would be to only do this for a short time each day to minimize the cold air that you are letting in, otherwise your home will take longer to heat up when you do turn the heating on.
Choose environmentally-friendly cleaning products
Cleaning products can contain harmful chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and your health. Choosing environmentally-friendly cleaning products can help reduce the negative impact on the environment and create a healthier living space. Look for cleaning products that are made with natural, biodegradable ingredients and avoid those that contain harmful chemicals such as chlorine, ammonia, and phosphates.
You can even incorporate more environmentally-friendly products into your bathroom through your skincare items. You could simply change from using hand wash to a bar of soap, as this produces less plastic waste and you can invest in shampoo bars and conditioner bars instead of buying your regular bottled shampoos and conditioners.
Use low-VOC paints
VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are chemicals that are released into the air as the paint dries. High levels of VOCs can cause health problems such as headaches, dizziness, and respiratory issues. Choosing low-VOC paints can help reduce the amount of harmful chemicals in the air and create a healthier living space for you and your family.
Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature in your home to automatically adjust at different times of the day. This can help save energy and money by reducing your reliance on heating and cooling when you are not home. For example, you can set the thermostat to turn down the heat at night when you are asleep or turn off the air conditioning when you are away at work.
Use natural light
Natural light not only adds beauty to your home, but it can also save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. Make sure to keep your windows clean and open your blinds and curtains during the day to allow natural light to enter your home. You can also consider installing skylights or solar tubes to bring in additional natural light.
Plant trees or install shading devices
Planting trees or installing shading devices, such as awnings or shading screens, can help reduce the amount of heat that enters your home, which can reduce your reliance on air conditioning and save energy. Trees and other plants can also help filter the air and reduce your carbon footprint. If you plant fruit trees you could even save yourself some money on fruit, as you can harvest the apples, pears, and plums that come from your trees and you could take the seeds from the fruit to plant more trees in the future. They can also make your gardens look much more attractive and offer greater privacy for you and your family.
Invest in solar panels
Solar panels can be very expensive, but they are a great way of generating your own electricity. The panels absorb sunlight from the sun which is then used to power your home and its appliances, making it a very eco-friendly way of producing your own electricity. In the long run, this will also save you money as you will not be paying energy providers as much money for electricity as you will be using your own.
You do not need to invest in loads of solar panels, even a few will make a huge difference to your energy production. You also do not need to just have them installed on your home’s roof, you could have them installed in your back garden or even on an outbuilding’s roof if that suits you better.