Making the decision to save the environment is always important. After all, it’s the only world we have, so we may as well try to keep it around for as long as we can. While most of try to reduce our carbon footprint by using chemical-free cleaners and limiting the amount we drive, there are other ways we can try to save the earth, and that’s by making our homes a little greener.
For some people, making a home greener requires a full upgrade to solar power and all green materials. But going green doesn’t mean you have to go all in. If you’re looking for a smaller way to make your home more eco-friendly, the following are more cost-effective options.
- Eco-Friendly Paint
Paint is one of the easiest ways to transform your home, and it’s also one of the cheapest. What most people don’t realize is that the paint that is used in their home probably contains harmful VOCs and other chemicals that can harm the environment. Instead of using this same type of paint when you want to re-do your home, consider using an eco-friendly paint instead. These paints don’t contain any harmful chemicals, which makes them better for the environment (as well as your health). Plus, these paints don’t cost any more than your traditional paints, which means that they’re still a cost-effective option for your green home renovations.
- Window Coverings
Window coverings are another great way to make your home more eco-friendly. With the wrong coverings, your home could be wasting energy. For example, if you have a the wrong window covering during the summer months, heat could be pouring into your home, which will force your air conditioner to continue running. This is a waste of energy. Instead, you want to make sure that you are choosing a window covering that will help you save on your energy costs and usage. As an example, you should consider investing in blackout curtains. These will keep the sun from shining into your home, which will help to keep your home cooler during the summer months and help you save your energy.
- Rain Barrels
Water is becoming a scarce natural resource, which means we need to be careful with the amount of water we use on a daily basis. One way to do that is by investing in (or making) a rain barrel. Rain barrels will collect the rain water, and then you can use this water for a variety of projects around your home, such as watering the garden, washing your car, or even giving your dogs a bath. This will save on the amount of water you use from your water source (such as a local lake), which will make your home greener.
- Incandescent Bulbs
Traditional light bulbs are a big waste of energy. By replacing all of your traditional bulbs with incandescent lights, you’ll be able to make your home more eco-friendly. Incandescent bulbs use less energy to use, and they also last much longer. They do cost a bit more than traditional bulbs, but since they last longer, the price ends up breaking even. You can use these bulbs everywhere in your home, from chandeliers to exterior patio lights. Your local home improvement store will have the type you need.
- Energy-Efficient Appliances
Your older appliances use a lot more energy than you probably realize. Because of this, you should consider changing out your appliances to those that are more energy-efficient. For example, your fridge, dishwasher, and oven should be energy-efficient in order to save on the amount of electricity, gas, and water they use. You should also look to invest in energy-efficient washing machines and dryers, which will also help save on electricity, gas, and water.
Article Submitted by Community Writer
