Did you know that as of 2021, approximately 85% of people worldwide are looking to make more eco-friendly and sustainable purchases?
If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint, your first step is to work on turning your home into a sustainable home. There are many power suppliers like New Power Energy where you can purchase renewable electricity, and it is more inexpensive than ever, which will enable more people receive their electricity from low-carbon sources and make the electricity in the whole country greener. From larger investments to making small changes each day, there are many things you can do that will make a significant difference long term.
Keep reading to learn how to create a more sustainable home and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle overall!
Insulate Your Home
If you ensure your home is adequately insulated, you’ll consume much less energy heating and cooling your home. In fact, insulating your home effectively can save you an average of 15% on your cooling and heating costs.
Your first step is to insulate your home against drafts. You’ll want to check for gaps in the insulation around your windows and doors and use a foam sealant if you notice large spaces.
Also, make sure you check the insulation in your roof, attic, and chimney. For these places, you may need to contact a professional to get solid advice on the best types of energy-saving insulation material you can use.
The most cost-effective ways to insulate other parts of your home include using caulking for small cracks and installing carpeting with an insulating pad in colder areas of your home.
Use Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs is an easy solution to light your home for less money. Nowadays, you’ll find energy-efficient light bulbs in just about every hardware store for a reasonable price.
Light emitting diodes or LEDs can last almost 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs, so you’ll save significant money on replacement bulbs in the long run.
You can find them in all types of wattages, and they’re great for outdoor lighting, cabinet lighting, and recessed lighting in your home.
Invest in Energy Efficient Appliances
Investing in energy-efficient appliances is a great way to reduce your energy use long-term. Although it can seem like a big investment initially, outdated appliances simply don’t function as well as newer appliances do. As a result, they use extra energy and will cost you more money to keep them in working order.
When you’re appliance shopping, you’ll want to look for Energy Star-certified appliances. These appliances are designed to use less energy and require less maintenance overall. You’ll also typically be able to find rebates and incentives offered by different retailers, and there are different tax credits available if you use Energy Star appliances in your home.
An excellent place to start is to replace your washer, dryer, and refrigerator. You can also find Energy Star air conditioners, furnaces, smart thermostats, and tankless water heaters, which will increase your energy efficiency even more.
Reduce Your Water Waste
Do you know the average family can waste approximately 180 gallons of water each week? Luckily, there are a lot of things you can do to eliminate water waste in your home, which include:
- Replace leaky faucets
- Check your toilet for leaks
- Install low flow shower and faucet fixtures
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
- Use a rain barrel to collect water to use for gardening
- Avoid watering your plants in the heat of midday
- Shorten your shower times
- Reuse boiling water for pasta and vegetables for other purposes
- Only run your washing machine and dishwasher if they’re full
You could also consider installing a smart water meter in your home. Smart water meters work much like regular water meters by recording how much water you use in your home.
However, smart water meters use wireless technology which can detect leaks and usage irregularities. These monitors also notify you if you’re using water excessively.
Consider Installing Solar Panels
Installing solar panels in your home is a smart long-term investment and can reduce or even eliminate your electricity bills, depending on your average energy usage.
The best part is you don’t have to live in a state that gets consistent sunshine year round, as cloudy days can produce significant energy.
You’ll also benefit from various solar tax credits and incentives that are available. First, there is a federal solar tax credit that allows you to deduct 26% of the total cost of your solar system installation. This includes solar panels, equipment, and labor costs.
In addition, you’ll qualify for other incentives like sales tax exemptions and property tax exemptions, depending on the state you live in.
Finally, solar panels can also significantly increase your home’s value overall.
Use a Compost Bin
Using a compost bin is a key part of sustainable homeownership that you don’t want to miss out on. You can find inexpensive compost bins at any home improvement store, and sometimes your local refuse services will offer them for free.
You’ll just need to scrape any leftover food waste into the bin and leave it to sit. You can compost various food products that include:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Crushed egg shells
- Grains
- Bread
- Nutshells
- Coffee grounds and filters
- Tea bags
You can also compost your yard trimmings, shredded newspaper, leaves, and grass clippings.
Avoid composting dairy products like butter and milk as well as fatty meats and oils. These items will attract rodents and insects to your compost pile.
Eventually, it will turn into a nutrient-rich compost material you can put to good use. You can create a compost pile in your backyard to use for flower beds, potting soil, and mulch. Many people also make compost tea to fertilize their plants.
Also know about essentials hoodie
Create a More Sustainable Home Today
Now that you have some ideas to create a more sustainable home, you can start making changes today.
Remember, making these changes takes time and patience, but before long, you’ll notice a huge difference in your energy consumption.
If you’re ready to learn more smart homeowner tips, check out the rest of our blog today for more articles!
Read also : The Best Ways To Use Wax Liquidizer In Your Vape Pen
