Having an eco-friendly home is a win-win situation. It is a win for the homeowner because it saves them money on energy costs and it is a win for everyone else because eco-friendly homes have a smaller carbon footprint. No matter how environmentally responsible someone thinks they are, a home can always be made more eco-friendly. Here are 6 great tips on making a home more eco-friendly whether you are an expert on “going green” or are just getting started on your path.
1. Purchase biodegradable products
This is one of the easiest steps. Biodegradable products may be a little bit more expensive than their counterparts. But, they reduce waste in droves which makes them a huge benefit to the environment. Just changing a few products in the home to biodegradable can be a huge benefit.
2. Modernize appliances
Getting updated “green” appliances is a benefit to the both the environment and the checkbook. For example, purchasing a modern appliance with the “Energy Star” logo can reduce that appliances energy use by up to 50% according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
3. Light bulbs
It is amazing how much energy can be saved just by switching light bulbs. Using a Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb reduces the energy used by that bulb by up to 66% a month. This means that each light bulb can save the homeowner up to $30 during the lifespan of a single bulb. When you start replacing every light bulb in the house that number will really start to add up.
4. The roof
This is a huge area of the house that is often overlooked when considering going green. Many homeowners are choosing to use recycled shingles and other green products to build or fix their roof.
5. Compost
Composting is a great eco-friendly action that those with gardens can take. This will greatly reduce the amount of pesticides and other products that can be harmful to the earth that are used while working in the garden. Avoiding chemicals at all costs in the garden is a great steps towards an eco-friendly lifestyle in the home.
6. The thermostat
This is one of the premier places in the home where energy is saved and energy costs are lowered. Keeping the thermostat a little higher in the summer and a little lower in the winter can go a long way towards lowering the monthly energy bill. A new, energy saving furnace is also a great step for those that live in areas where it gets cold in the winter. New furnaces are said to be about 25% more energy efficient than their 1980s counterparts.
Those are just 6 ways that a homeowner can take action and make their particular home more eco-friendly. If you start with just those you will probably have one of the most environmentally healthy homes on the block. There are a multitude of other actions that can be taken. Making your home go green is great because it helps the environment and lowers monthly energy costs.
