
Pollution levels, fuel consumption, tree cutting, landfills stuffed, and other factors contribute to increasing global warming each year. Every choice you make has an impact on the environment. This includes how you shop and travel, what you eat, and how you live. Many people want to know how they can be greener at home but need to know where to begin.
We must change our lifestyles if we are to save the planet. It’s now easier than ever to reduce your carbon footprint, and often you can save money. These ten simple tips will help you make a difference, especially if everyone does their part.
What does Going Green mean?
Although everyone may have their definition of “going green,” we mean living more environmentally-friendly lives. Small changes, such as shopping locally, driving less, and recycling more can make a huge impact on the environment. You can also plant local flora in your garden, which will help sustain the local ecosystem. To reduce your environmental impact, you don’t need to abandon technology. Modern trends in home technology make it easier to go green than ever.
What does it really mean to be green? Your thermostat can monitor your environment and your daily habits so you don’t waste electricity. Your smartphone can connect to your local recycling center or a neighbor who may be able to take the chair off your hands and not end up in a landfill. You can still live in the modern age while going green.
These are our 10 favorite tips to go green at home: Easy to implement
Start small if you want to be green. There are many ways to start green living without having to make major lifestyle changes. We have compiled our top eco-friendly tips and tricks to help you go green. These can be simple or more complex.
We recommend that you begin with one tip, and then move on to the next when you feel ready. Every little bit helps to improve the environment.
Tip #1: Installing a power strip in your home office
These new home offices often result in an unexpected rise in electricity consumption due to more people being able to work remotely. Even if you’re not using your printers or computers, your electricity bill will still be increased. This is known as “standby power” (or ” vampire electricity) and refers to electronics that suck energy even when not in use.
It’s easy to be green while working remotely by plugging all your devices into a power strip. This allows you to turn off everything with one switch. You can save energy by flipping the switch after you are done with your day.
You can also buy a smart power strip for even greater control. This allows you to turn off specific plugs from your smartphone using an app.
Tip #2: Wash your car at the Car Wash
Although it can be enjoyable and give you satisfaction, washing your car in your driveway is not environmentally friendly. It’s much more environmentally friendly to wash your car at an established car wash.
To lower costs and conserve water, these facilities collect, treat, and reuse soapy ran off. This lowers the amount of water required to wash each load and reduces the groundwater that is exposed to cleaning chemicals.
Tip #3: Keep an herb garden on your desk
Plants are a great way to be green. With house plants in your office, you will find them brighter and more oxygen-rich. Indoor plants can absorb carbon dioxide and then release oxygen. This will improve the air quality in your home without the need for an electric filter.
You can have an entire indoor garden right next to your desk if you are a natural gardener. This will make it easy to smile at stress levels. Self-growing mini-kits for those who don’t have a green thumb are an easy way to grow a plant that will thrive and add some color to your desk.
Tip #4: Install Aerating Showerheads and Faucets
Aerators can be added to showerheads and faucets to reduce water consumption and go green. Screen layers are used to slow down the flow of water. This provides more coverage and lowers water consumption.
Aerators can be a cost-effective, quick, and environmentally friendly upgrade that will reduce the amount of tap water required to do household chores. It conserves freshwater and allows the earth to filter more rain into the lakes and reservoirs.
Tip #5: Schedule a Donation Pickup
Donating and recycling household items are easy ways to decrease your contribution to landfills. But don’t pack your car! Every trip to a donation or recycling center adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. You can instead reduce the carbon footprint by signing up for a pickup with others along a route.
There is likely to be a local charity that will pick up your items, whether you have boxes of clothes, totes full of crushed cans, or fixtures from a recent renovation. Many organizations offer curbside pick-ups that are free and without contact for any items you wish to recycle or donate.
Tip #6: Lighten Your Home with Sunshine
Direct sunbeams are a proven way to lower your electricity consumption. Natural light is not only soothing and free but it can also be used to control the temperature.
Mirrors and reflective surfaces can be strategically placed throughout your home to make the most of your windows. These reflect light to corners and spaces that direct sunlight cannot reach. Your home will be brighter if it reflects more light.
Tip #7: Garden with and for local wildlife
You can have a positive impact on wildlife by planting native plants in your garden. Native plants that are able to thrive in your area will enrich your garden’s natural soil without the need for artificial fertilizers. You can also plant flowering shrubs that attract local bees and hummingbirds to enhance the local ecosystem.
You can also reduce kitchen waste by starting a garden at home. You can start by turning vegetable trimmings into the soil. The nutrient-rich water that is used to boil vegetables and pasta can be used to feed your plants. You should allow the water to cool down before you add it to your garden.
Tip #8: Improve Your HVAC Efficiency
You can improve the energy efficiency of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in your home to reduce your monthly electricity bills and increase the efficiency of your home. Heating and cooling can make up half of your monthly energy use for many homeowners.
To make your HVAC more efficient and reduce your carbon footprint, we recommend that you complete a few small but essential tasks.
Weatherstripping or caulk can be used to seal your windows.
Weatherstripping around exterior doors should be replaced.
Service and clean your HVAC units.
Every 2-3 months, change the air filters.
Insulate your attic with the right amount.
Repair broken or missing windows.
Hang curtains in summer, and drapes during winter.
Tip #9 : Upgrade to a Smart House
Smart home technology is futuristic and environmentally friendly. You can program your smart lights to turn on or off according to what you need. Some options also come with sensors that automatically turn off when there is no one home.
Smart thermostats are able to adapt to your home’s rhythms to produce the best temperature. Smart appliances consume less energy and use fewer resources by turning them on and off at specific times. Smart devices are generally more energy-efficient due to the use of the most recent techniques in appliance design.
Check out our list of Smart House Energy Saving Devices that Save You Money for more ideas.
Tip #10 : Install solar panels
A solar power system mounted on your roof can generate electricity to offset household power consumption. Solar panels allow you to convert natural sunlight into electricity without releasing greenhouse gases.
You can generate electricity from solar to offset the electricity that you draw from the grid. This is usually powered by fossil fuels. You can also save money by going solar, which is one of the greatest benefits of going green.