It is difficult not to notice the increasing amount of attention that the environment is receiving, and there are plenty of good reasons for this. When our planet is too polluted and resources are drained, it will become uninhabitable. Each person must take action to reduce pollution and unnecessary waste, and there are a few easy and affordable steps that everyone can take to improve their home environment. Going green may actually be easier than you think, and you may even be able to save money while learning how to make your room look bigger or to enjoy a more comfortable home as a result of some of your efforts.
1. Change Your Lightbulbs
The amount of energy used by standard or compact fluorescent lightbulbs is considerably higher than the amount of energy in LED lights. LED technology is high-efficiency lighting, and the bulbs also have a tremendously longer life span than their counterparts. This means that you will place less waste in the landfills over time. Remember to turn off all lights when they are not actively in use regardless of the type of lightbulbs that you have.
2. Program Your Thermostat
Your HVAC system uses a considerable amount of energy to maintain your home at a comfortable level. Adjust your settings so that the system turns on less frequently. You can always wear an extra layer of clothes in the winter or wear thinner clothes in the summer to moderate your personal comfort level. For even more energy-efficient results in this area, re-seal your doors and windows annually, and service your HVAC system regularly to ensure that it operates with peak energy efficiency.
3. Power Off Electronics
Many of your electronics and small appliances use energy when they are not actively being used. This includes the TV, DVD player, gaming consoles, coffee maker, microwave and more. These items should be powered off and completely unplugged when they are not in use. Doing so can save a tremendous amount of electricity, and you can enjoy financial savings on your energy bill as a result.
4. Maintain Your Appliances
It is easy to overlook an appliance in need of repair as long as it does its job. For example, the washing machine may make a funny sound when it operates, but it is still cleaning the clothes. Therefore, you may not schedule repair service. Broken appliances may use more energy or water, and they could emit additional pollution into the environment. Repair appliances as soon as possible to make them more environmentally-friendly.
5. Recycle and Compost Waste
An incredible amount of waste is created and tossed away in homes each day. Much of this waste could be re-used rather than tossed in a landfill. Recycle all of the trash that you can. In addition, start a compost pile for your unused food products. It can also be helpful to simply stop buying items that come in a lot of packaging and to buy less food so that you have less food waste.
6. Get a Water Filter
Using plastic water bottles is common, but these bottles unfortunately use natural resources in their production. They also take a long time to decompose naturally, and they are not always recycled properly. Use re-usable water bottles, and invest in a water filter at home to enjoy the fresh taste of pure, clean water from the tap.
7. Switch to Green Cleaning Products
Many household cleaning products unfortunately create air and water pollution. In some cases, it is unhealthy for you and your loved ones to inhale the fumes from these products. Green cleaning products use biodegradable ingredients, and they are safer for your family and for the environment. They also usually clean your home just as well as polluting or harmful cleaning products.
8. Upgrade to Low-Flow Water Features
Water waste is a major concern as stories of a limited fresh water supply become increasingly common. You can easily upgrade to low-flow toilets and faucets to decrease the amount of water you use without adjusting your lifestyle. In fact, you may be able to cut water consumption in half or more through this simple effort.
9. Use Cloths Rather Than Paper Products
Paper towels and napkins are commonly used in homes, but these paper products lead to deforestation and are rarely recycled as they could be. A smarter idea is to use cloth towels and napkins for all of your needs. These items can be cleaned and re-used hundreds of times or more before they are worn out and require replacement.
10. Spend Time Outside
One of the best things that you can do to have a green home is to simply spend more time in your yard. Turn off the TV or other electronics, and enjoy reading a book on the patio. Plant a garden, and grow some of your own food on-site to reduce consumer waste. Adjust the thermostat to a less energy-consumptive setting while you are outdoors.
There are other more significant steps you can take to make your home green as well. For example, you could upgrade to more energy efficient appliances. While this may be a long-term green goal, each of the tips listed here requires minimal funds and could be followed immediately. A smart starting point is to make your own to-do list using these ideas as a starting point. Then, work your way down the list, making your home greener with each step you take.
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