You can go the extra mile by adding landscaping touches that are wildlife-friendly. For example, bees are notoriously How to make your home more environmentally friendly threatened by environmental changes. You can create a bee-friendly garden by adding more flowering herbs and plants.
Consider the realistic progress you can make today, what you can add tomorrow, and what to aim for in the future. Here’s a checklist to get you started as you tackle new projects around the house this season and beyond. Next time you decide to upgrade a piece of furniture, peruse sites like Chairish or your local thrift store to see if you can find something used that works. These are likely all reusable items that you have in your kitchen cabinets, but still, so many people buy paper and disposable varieties. Cut down on the amount of garbage you produce by using those plates you got as a wedding gift, glasses, and regular utensils. Investing in a pressure cooker, Instapot, or airfryer can have more benefits than just creating a delicious meal — it can cut down on how long you run appliances and waste energy.
Reduce clothing and accessory purchases or shop vintage
Each UK household spends around £50 – £86 a year to power appliances left in standby mode or not in use. Pollution, especially through excess waste, leads to the degradation of natural or archeological sites and depletion of natural resources including water, soil nutrients and biodiversity. However, these big ships contribute massively to GHG emissions. Carnival Corporation’s fleet of 47 cruise ships emits 10 times more sulphur oxides (SOx) than 100 million cars do.
While homes may not pollute as much as corporations do, there are many things you as a homeowner can do to make your home a more eco friendly house. It is important to make a change wherever possible, and your home is something you have control over – so why not make the change? Here is a list of things you can do, from home improvements that require significant up-front capital to small, easy changes that can have a big impact. Save water and lower your billsConsider switching to a water meter, so you pay for only the water you use. Invest the money you save into water-saving devices and plumbing, such as rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems.
Insulate your house
And it can be very easy, especially during the winter months, to leave your heating on for longer than you strictly need it. This can lead to a lot of both wasted energy and wasted money. The best way to combat this is to have a smart meter installed. Smart meters can be programmed so that they only turn on at certain times of the day – for example, beginning to heat up just before you get home, and shutting off an hour or so before you leave the house.
There are pros and cons to each type of green home design, so you should consider all your options before deciding which one is right for you. Other tips for an eco friendly house and fridge include keeping it away from the window or direct sunlight. Your refrigerator also needs proper airflow to help keep it cool naturally (7.6 centimeters between the appliance and surrounding walls is ideal).
Use smart and efficient appliances
If you are looking for another sustainable material and may not want to use glass tile, cork is a great alternative. Not only is it great for floors, but it is a lightweight and durable material that can enhance your tiny home. Additionally, recycled glass tiles can be customized to your tiny home’s liking. This way, you can give it a look you want, and you don’t have to sacrifice style for sustainability. Windows are a great way to give your tiny home some natural light. Adding plants to your home also offers a wide variety of other benefits, such as allergy relief.
- When done properly, you end up with a nutrient rich material that can be turned right back into your garden.
- It’s easy to be smarter in the kitchen, which can lead to a far more eco-friendly home.
- While some opt to drastically change their diets to a vegan one, simply reducing your intake of meat can already have a big impact.
- Though using the dishwasher to wash your dishes can save water, drying them in the machine will only contribute to your energy bills.
This is especially true if you live in a colder climate like Canada, where heating is a must-have in the chilly winter months. You can help minimize needless heating with a smart thermostat. An Energy Star certified thermostat will memorize the ideal temperature in your home and adapt automatically. You will also be able to control your heating remotely via a smartphone. For those who want to reduce their impact on the environment, eco-friendly homes are a great option, but you should choose one that fits your lifestyle and budget.
Green Products
Ben is a writer and an environmentalist who’s passionate about creating positive change in our world. To help you move forward in your own personal sustainable journey, here are some posts I’d recommend reading up on first. Large scale systematic change won’t happen without the small actions that come before them. The same is true for any kind of major societal change in the past.
Installing a smart thermostat is another great way to save energy and cut costs. Most thermostats have an energy-saving setting to help you regulate the temperature in your home. With a programmable thermostat, you monitor your cooling and heating consumption. Changing settings for when you’re away from home, adjusting the temperature https://ecosoberhouse.com/ based on the weather outside and using smart settings to regulate temperature has never been easier. Many new appliances are now designed to be more energy-efficient than traditional models. This means they will use less electricity and water, leave a lower carbon footprint, and save money on your utility bills.
