The sea level is rising and most of our seasons don’t abide by the standard weather protocols. Spring never really feels like spring, but more like the second autumn. All of this may seem like it’s out of your control, but the truth is that we can all contribute to taking better care of Earth.
It all starts at home. Making your home more eco-friendly is easier than you think. There are just a few things in your daily routine you need to adjust. Let’s discuss some clever ways to make your home more eco-friendly.
1. Get a Programmable Thermostat
Yes, this is an investment upfront. But it will save you so much money in the long run. Heating and cooling costs make up almost 50% of the energy bill in the average American home. A great way to reduce this cost and help the environment is to get a programmable thermostat. You can set it to a lower temperature when you’re away at work or on vacation and then have it go back to a comfortable temperature right before you come home.
2. Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water
You’d be surprised to know how much energy goes to washing machines when you use hot water. The machine works overtime to heat up the water. Naturally, this overuse of energy has a negative effect on the planet.
Think about how many people across the world use hot water to wash their clothes. Now think about the change we can make if we all use cold water for our clothes.
Using cold water reduces carbon dioxide emissions, and helps keep your clothes in better condition longer. Hot water can deteriorate the fabric and make your clothes less vibrant.
3. Plant Herbs
Use some fertilizer and plant your own herb garden. You don’t need to worry about the herbs taking up a lot of space, because they won’t. Aside from the garden, you can plant them in small pots and place them on the window sill that gets the most light.
They naturally clean the air by taking in carbon dioxide and producing more oxygen. Growing herbs also reduce your carb footprint because you make fewer trips to the store to buy what you need. And it’s proven that plants make you much happier and more positive in life.
Take it one step further and consider planting some vegetables, too. You’ll have fresh produce whenever you want, and you will replenish nutrients in the soil.
4. Go Solar
Switching over to solar power might be the most beneficial. You lower your energy cost because you don’t need to use an excessive amount of electricity to power your home. Solar panels have a longer lifespan than light bulbs. You won’t need to worry about constantly replacing them after they burn out. They last an average of 20 to 30 years.
And most of all, using solar panels reduces the use of coal used to generate electricity. Coal-fired plants produce electricity by burning coal in a boiler to produce steam, which ultimately harms the environment.
Solar power replaces the use of conventional fuels, coal, and nuclear energy sources. At the end of the day, the safest energy source is the sun.
5. Use Homemade Cleaning Products
Natural cleaning products work just as well as regular ones. But they don’t contain harmful chemicals that are bad for the environment and your health. If you don’t want to spend money on these products, you can make them yourself.
Stock up on vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. These key ingredients will work on your toughest stains and leave your home smelling lemony fresh.
6. Compost Station
You can use a compost station for your kitchen scraps. This is an eco-friendly way to reduce waste because the food doesn’t end up in a landfill. When you put it in a compost pile, the food decomposes and becomes nutrient-rich soil that you can use for your plants.
How do you make your home more eco-friendly? Do you have any tips or tricks you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments below!
7. LED Lights
LED lights are a great way to save money and energy. They last much longer than regular light bulbs, so you won’t have to replace them as often. They also use less energy, which is good for the environment.
8. Use Reusable Bags
When you go grocery shopping, bring your own reusable bags. This cuts down on the amount of plastic bags that end up in landfills. Even if you only use one reusable bag per week, it makes a difference.
10. Recycle
One of the easiest ways to be more eco-friendly is to recycle. You can recycle paper, plastic, glass, and metal. Some cities even have programs where you can recycle electronics. Before you throw something away, see if it can be recycled.
These are just a few of the many ways you can make your home more eco-friendly. Do your part to help the environment, and try to incorporate some of these tips into your daily life. When it comes to being eco-friendly, every little bit counts. These small changes can make a big difference in the long run. After making these small changes in your daily routines and adding a few adjustments to your home, you’re on the right track to making your home more eco-friendly and protecting the environment.
