If you have an older home, you may think itโs too late to create an eco-conscious home.The fact is, is may be easier than you think.
Plus, when your house is eco-friendly, it will be more efficient and give you peace of mind. (Who doesnโt want a better nightโs sleep?) Youโll know that youโre doing your part to help the environment.
Here are 5 eco-conscious changes you can make to your home to get started.
CONTENTS – In this article, you will learn about eco-conscious changes and additions for your home including:
- Benefits of an Eco-Friendly Home
- Water Saving Solutions
- How to Get Cleaner Air
- Energy Efficiency
- Embrace Farm to Table
- Final Thoughts on An Eco-Conscious Home
Why It Matters? Eco-Friendly and Efficient Additions for Every Home
Making continual improvements to the home you love can be rewarding, especially if they save you money and protect the environment.
When youโre eco-conscious, that means youโre environmentally aware and sensitive to the environmental impact of your actions.
You know that the choices you make for yourself, your family, and your home have an impact on the surrounding environment.
So, turning to eco-friendly solutions will not only contribute to a greener way of life, but it may have positive impacts on your health too.
As a homeowner, you should always be looking for ways to improve your homesteadโs efficiency. With the ideas laid out below, you will be able to make positive, eco-friendly changes to your property without breaking your budget.
Because every little eco-conscious change you can make impacts to the greater environment, for better or worse. (sustainable efforts, renewable energy)
1. Eco-Conscious Water Saving Solutions
Saving water is not only a great way to reduce your monthly bills, but it also has a positive impact on the environment, too.
Simple changes, like reducing your personal water use in the sink and shower, and using gray water in your garden are behavioral changes you can make to save water.
You can also install water saving and low-flow faucets, which conserve up to 700 gallons of water per year in the average household.
You can also replace your old toilet with a new water-saving unit that has a built-in macerator. Macerating toilets are simple to install and do not require the bathroom floor to be stripped in order to connect to the drain system. As a result, they are a more cost-effective alternative to traditional toilets.
But you can have an even greater impact when you install a water saving solution such as rainwater tanks that integrate directly into your home water system. These water storage solutions will save on your water bills and provide a complete water storage solution. A rainwater tank can save you as much as 100,000 liters (about 26K gallons!) of water per year on average.
In many cases, you can install these accessories yourself, but you may want to hire a professional to help you.
2. Cleaner Air
Combating air pollution is something everyone is fighting for globally, but can you truly make a difference in your own home?
Yes, there are a handful of things you can do around the house to create cleaner, healthier air for you and your family.
For instance, certain indoor houseplants clean out the air naturally and safely. Among air-purifying plants are: Bamboo Palm, Peace Lily, Dracaena, Aloe Vera, Snake Plant, and Spider Plant.
Additionally, you may also want to create your own cleaning products out of organic ingredients. Then, instead of polluting your home with strong-smelling chemicals, you can create sprays for the kitchen and bathroom using white wine vinegar from your very own cupboards.
Consider using eco-friendly alternatives to regular cleaning products when creating your daily cleaning routine. Besides being less harmful to the environment, eco-friendly cleaning products contain much gentler components and are not harmful to your health. Get multipurpose cleaning wipes with natural ingredients to clean different surfaces in your house without endangering the environment and your health.
If you enjoy burning candles, opt for non-GMO, eco-friendly candles. The best eco-friendly alternatives are made with clean-burning vegetable waxes (like soy wax) or beeswax. Both burn with little to no smoke and are made with renewable resources, making them biodegradable.
If you like your candles scented, choose those with paraben- and phthalate-free oils and pure essential oils. Youโll also want to make sure the wick is eco-friendly.
Purchasing an air purifier can help remove harmful particles, allergens, gasses, smoke, and mold from your home environment. Look for one with a HEPA system with sustainable materials, low-energy use, and a small carbon footprint.
For optimum efficiency, keep in mind that youโll need to maintain your air purifier properly and have the windows closed to run it. Thatโs a little counterproductive because, depending on where you live, one of the best ways to have cleaner air is to open the windows when weather permits.
3. Energy Efficiency
Conserving energy in the form of energy saving light bulbs and solar panels is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
LED bulbs are the most energy-efficient light bulbs. It produces the most light with the least amount of energy. They use a fraction of the energy (75% less) consumed by traditional incandescent bulbs and last longer — up to 50 times longer!
If you want to really up your game, invest in wifi LED bulbs and you can customize the color and operate it remotely. This is a great option when you want to protect your home from burglary when youโre away or simply want to put your lighting on auto-pilot. (Turn down service, anyone?)
Solar panels require a large initial investment, but will likely save you money in the long run. You may also be eligible for rebates and tax deductions when you install them. If you have a large south-facing roof, it is possible to generate enough electricity to go off grid or sell excesses back to the energy company.
When you invest in these long term processes, it will help to cut your monthly bills at home. And, of course, it will be much kinder to the environment.
4. Insulation Upgrades
There is nothing like the beauty of natural light pouring through your windows. But what you may not see is the energy leaking out through your windows. Thatโs why it makes good sense to double glaze your windows. In a double-glazed window, multiple glass panes are filled with argon gas to help reduce your energy costs and better insulate your home.
You will also want to forego the plastic surrounds when it comes to your windows. Plastic windows emit compounds which can be toxic, so instead, get wooden frames. When cared for properly, they are just as durable.
While youโre at it, take a look at your homeโs insulation around your walls and roof to see if it can be improved. The most eco-conscious choices include Denim insulation (cotton), Cellulose, and spray foam insulation.
A well-insulated home cuts down carbon emissions, which is linked to global climate change.
5. Farm to Table
Growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs in your garden is a great way to put the environment first.
Many supermarkets supply copious amounts of plastic with their packaging which can have a damaging effect on the environment. When you grow your own vegetables you are reducing the amount of packaging you use overall, and your home cooked meals will taste even more delicious.
If you are unable to grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs, you consider shopping at local farmerโs markets so that you are doing your small part for the environment. Not only are you helping a small business, but you are likely cutting down on freight and transportation emissions.
Final Thoughts on Eco-Friendly Home
Nowadays, itโs cool to be kind to the environment, so now itโs your chance to make a positive change. Whether youโre exploring new ways of saving water or youโre opting for a farm to table approach when you cook, you can make small, simple changes today.
Hopefully, some of these ideas will inspire you to transform your home into an eco-friendly and efficient haven that saves you a lot of money in the long term.
Passionate about reducing your carbon footprint? Click here to see eco-friendly decor ideas that look great!
Photo credit: โโPhoto by Vivint Solar (Pexels)
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