10 Tips for an Eco-Friendly Home
Recycling is a concept that many people recognize as an eco-friendly practice. Often, they do not realize that simple steps can help preserve natural landscapes, clean water, and reduce landfill waste. The tips cost little or no money to implement. “Going green” does not have to be daunting, expensive, and challenging. Consider adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle through simple actions like using eco-friendly products, practicing eco-friendly cleaning, and reducing energy consumption. These can all help significantly. Here are the top 10 tips for an eco-friendly home.
1. Turn appliances and devices down or off
The easiest way to save on monthly bills and make the home greener is ensuring utilities are not overused. Turn off lights when leaving a room. Open blinds and curtains to rely on sunlight and reduce electricity use.
Run washing machines and dishwashers only with full loads. Shut down and turn off computers at night. Small changes to air conditioning and heating make a significant difference.
Savings add up quickly by increasing thermostat settings three or four degrees in winter and reducing them three or four degrees in summer. Your body will adjust if you change the setting by one degree daily for three or four days. Adjust temperature even more when away from home for additional energy efficiency.
2. Change light bulbs
In addition to maximizing natural light through windows, switch incandescent bulbs to Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs). They are available in many sizes, shapes, and colors with no white glare. Curly bulbs are no longer the only option.
Incandescent bulbs will soon become obsolete. Because they contain mercury, they must be disposed of properly at recycling centers. Educating children about this fact is important. Switch a few bulbs at a time. Eventually, all bulbs in the home will be replaced. CFLs use approximately 75 percent less energy and last ten times longer than incandescent bulbs.
3. Have an energy audit for your home
Independent contractors and most utility companies offer energy audits. The inspection identifies how and where energy is wasted and points out areas lacking insulation. Following the suggestions may lead to state or federal tax credits or utility company rebates.
Energy Star provides a do-it-yourself audit taking five minutes if you have the last 12 utility bills. It will compare your home’s energy efficiency to similar homes throughout the country and make energy-saving home improvement recommendations.
4. Shop locally, buy in bulk, and use cloth shopping bags
Eating habits and grocery shopping also consume energy. The journey from farm to fork can be as much as 1500 miles. If possible, purchase food not transported from far away. Some stores carry produce from local farms.
Labels on vegetables and fruits indicate where they were grown. Avoid foods requiring excessive packaging and buy in bulk. Purchase from community supported agriculture, co-ops, or farmers markets whenever possible. Take cloth bags to the store. Plastic is a petroleum product.
5. Save water
Water is another energy source. A shut-off valve can be installed on showers to turn it off while shaving, shampooing, and showering. Equip all faucets and showerheads with water-saving nozzles. Turn off water when brushing teeth and teach kids to do likewise.
Wash clothes in cold water to reduce energy use and dry clothes on a clothesline or rack. According to Rea Gonzalez from the Los Angeles Department of Public Works, the majority of residential water consumption occurs outdoors. The best means of saving water is to water lawns between ten o’clock at night and six o’clock in the morning at short intervals.
6. Repurpose, recycle, and reuse items around the house
Items that can be repurposed, recycled, or reused include wreaths, refrigerators, shoes, cans, jars, and more. Buy everyone in the family a water bottle to refill instead of purchasing small bottled water.
An easy means of repurposing furniture is giving it a second career serving a new purpose. Designers use this concept to add uniqueness and surprise to a room. Old broken glass dishes can become art mosaics or old doors can transform into tables.
7. Buy items that were used and donate items no longer wanted
Everything from building materials to clothing can be found at consignment shops and reuse centers. Used items are often just as good and are less expensive than new things.
Buy items that are reusable instead of disposable. Costs and waste are reduced. Little things add up. Take a cup and silverware to work instead of using disposable items. Repair and maintain products such as appliances, tires, and clothing so they don’t require frequent replacement or disposal.
Share, rent, or borrow items not frequently used such as furniture, tools, and decorations. Your trash may be a treasure to someone else. Try donating or selling clothes, tools, or appliances you no longer want. Donated goods prevent usable items from entering landfills, help those in need, and benefit the community. Tax benefits are sometimes available.
8. Clear the air
Ban smoking in your home. Combat indoor air pollution by not allowing anyone to smoke in your house. Cigarettes contain toxic chemicals and second-hand smoke can cause cancer.
Live plants in the house act as natural air filters. Some plants effectively absorb harmful pollutants emitted from electronic equipment, furniture, and carpets. Some of the best choices include palm trees, rubber plants, Boston ferns, and spider plants.
9. Find harsh chemical alternatives
Harsh cleaners can pollute the environment and cause health problems. Chain stores and natural grocery stores offer several brands of cleaning products that are biodegradable and non-toxic.
You can also make your own. Baking soda is a useful and cheap fungicide, polisher, scourer, and all-purpose cleaner. Citrus oils and tea tree oil are natural disinfectants. White vinegar and borax are excellent bowl cleaners.
Microfiber cloths attract dirt and allow you to skip using cleaning products. Damp cloths clean most ceramic, wood, brass, stainless steel, and glass surfaces. The cloths can be washed and reused.
