Each person across the world has a responsibility for cutting carbon emissions and making changes in the home is an excellent place to start.
If you want to become environmentally conscious to prevent global warming and protect the Earth, there are actions you can take to make the goal a reality which are not limited to just switching to a bamboo toothbrush.
The good news is, the changes cannot only protect the planet, but they could save you a substantial amount of money throughout the years. Here are five ways to run an eco-friendly home.
1. Conserve Water
Many homeowners are guilty of wasting water throughout the years. For instance, they might fail to fix a leaky faucet, take long showers, or are using the wrong showerhead. To become more eco-friendly, you must get serious about conserving water.
There are actions you can take to become more sustainable, such as:
- Installing a low-flow showerhead
- Not running the tap when brushing your teeth or shaving
- Fixing any leaks within the home
- Taking short showers or baths
- Turning on a washing machine or dishwasher when it has a full load – and use the eco-setting
The more water you save, the less energy you will use within the home, as it needs to be filtered, heated, and pumped into your property.
2. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
Energy-efficient appliances can help you adhere to environmental responsibilities, as they can decrease your energy consumption each day. Whether you’re in the market for a new refrigerator, washing machine, stove, or dishwasher, you should ensure it is environmentally friendly.
3. Retain Heat with Insulation
Insulation can help your home to conserve energy while lowering your household bills. That’s because it holds onto heat, so you don’t need to crank up the thermostat to warm up rooms across your property.
House hunters should also factor in a property’s insulation when browsing the market. For example, most new build homes are more energy-efficient than older properties, as they often feature high-quality insulation and dependable, eco-friendly heating systems.
4. Choose the Right Lightbulbs
The wrong lightbulbs cannot only use much more energy, which will be bad for the planet and your bank balance, but they have a short lifespan. If you want to shine a light on your beautiful interior without damaging the planet, choose the right lightbulbs for rooms across your home.
For example, you should ditch incandescent bulbs that will add many dollars onto your energy bill and install more efficient CFL or LED lightbulbs. They’ll use less electricity each day and will last much longer, so you won’t need to regularly replace them.
5. Turn Down Your Water Heater
Many residential water heaters have a standard-setting of 140º F, which is scorching hot. If the water from your hot tap is scalding to the touch, you might need to turn down your water heater. 120º F is ideal for a hot shower, so you can conserve energy and enjoy a pleasant experience when washing your hands, relaxing in a bath, or enjoying a quick shower.