6 Ways You Can Make Your Home Green-Friendly
As the cost of energy continues to increase at a steady rate, more people are looking to reduce their carbon footprint and make their home green-friendly. From energy-saving appliances to switching out your light bulbs, there are a number of ways to practice green habits and allow your home to be safe for both your family and the environment. To allow your home to become more eco-friendly, there are several simple steps to take.
1. Switch to CFL or LED Bulbs
You may enjoy the warm glow of an incandescent bulb, but the product uses the highest level of energy and has the shortest lifespan. Incandescent bulbs last an average of 8,000 hours compared to 1,200 hours with a CFL bulb. LED bulbs last even longer and can continue to function for up to 50,000 hours. Incandescent bulbs are also toxic to your health and the environment due to the mercury that it contains, whereas CFL and LED lights are RoHS compliant.
2. Upgrade to Energy Star Appliances
Many people stick to their outdated appliances in an attempt to save money since the products may still be in working condition. Although you may have a refrigerator or a washing machine that continues to get the job done, it is likely harming the environment and causing an abundance of fossil fuel emissions to be released. Energy Star appliances can reduce the energy usage of the home by up to 50 per cent. They also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and can save $100 annually for each appliance that is used in the home.
Although it may be an investment to purchase an Energy Star Appliance and toss out your old one, the U.S. government offers a number of rebates to households that upgrade.
3. Adjust the Thermostat
You may want to feel toasty in the dead of winter by having the heater run throughout the day, but doing so can significantly increase your home’s energy usage and leave you with a high bill each month. According toEnerystar.gov, up to half of the energy that is used in the home is due to heating and cooling usage during the year. Opt for keeping warm with extra blankets and rely on a fireplace in the home to heat the interior space. You can also add rugs to bare floors or consider using a space heater in certain rooms that are used.
In the summer, opt for using ceiling fans to cool the home and hang heavy curtains to block out heat and light from the windows. You can also caulk around the doors and windows to reduce the number of drafts. Replacing old insulation in the attic can also prevent extra heat from accumulating. Closing vents to unused rooms in the home is another step to take to prevent unnecessary energy usage from the HVAC system.
4. Take Shorter Showers
You may rely on taking a long shower to wake up each morning, but the habit reduces a high amount of water and can contribute to droughts. According to Housebeautiful.com, you can install a low-flow showerhead to reduce the amount of water that is used while also keeping your showers limited to five minutes. Each minute in the shower uses an average of a gallon of water, making it important to be mindful of the resource and avoid using more than necessary.
Need more ideas on how to create a more sustainable home? Check out this article by Custom Earth Promos!
5. Use Green Pest Control Services
Many people are unaware that they can protect their home from ants or cockroaches without relying on toxic chemicals. Green pest control services offer natural pest management with eco-friendly solutions. It will prevent toxic chemicals from being released into the air or from soaking into the soil on the property for a method that is safe for both residents and pets.
6. Avoid Bottled Water
Install a filter on your home’s water system to obtain clean drinking water without relying on bottled water. Bottled water contributes to pollution and uses the earth’s resources with 17 million barrels of oil needed to produce enough plastic for the U.S.’s demand. The life cycle of bottled water also uses fossil fuels and is known to contribute to global warming.
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