Researchers predict global surface temperatures to be between 1.1 and 1.7 degrees Celsius higher from 2022 to 2026 compared to pre-industrial years.
While this certainly doesn’t seem like a lot, it’s a clear indicator that the world is edging closer to a climate disaster. With rapid industrialization and increased dependence on fossil fuels, it’s no surprise that global warming is at its highest.
The good news is that you can play your part in averting this impending disaster. In fact, you can get your whole family on it by building an eco-friendly home.
An eco-friendly home, as the name suggests, is a house that is eco-conscious, meaning it considers the environment in all facets of the home. In simple terms, it’s a house that’s energy-efficient in its use and made from non-toxic materials.
Making your house eco-friendly can seem daunting at first, but it is not as difficult as you might think. In this blog post, we will go over some tips on how you can convert your home into an eco-friendly home and become a champion for sustainable living.
Table of Contents
Get Proper Home Insulation
A well-insulated home is the first step towards an eco-friendly home. Home insulation helps to regulate the temperature in your home and reduces the need for energy consumption. This, in turn, will help you save money on your energy bills and do your part in saving the environment.
Without proper insulation, your AC and heating systems have to work harder to keep your home at the right temperature. This means using more electricity, which is bad news for the environment. Proper insulation ensures you’re not overly reliant on your heating and AC systems.
There are many different types of insulation, so you’ll need to do some research to figure out which one is best for your home. Some types of insulation are made from sustainable materials, which is a huge bonus.
Get proper insulation for your home; both your pockets and the environment will thank you for it.
Get Energy-Efficient Bulbs
Energy-efficient bulbs consume less electricity and last much longer than regular bulbs. While they may cost more upfront, they will save you money in the long run. Not to mention, they’ll help reduce your carbon footprint.
So, if you’re looking for eco-friendly ways to light your home, energy-efficient bulbs are the way to go. You can get them for all kinds of lighting in your home, from ceiling lights to lamps.
Some people claim that energy-efficient bulbs aren’t as bright as regular bulbs. While this was true a few years ago, nowadays, it’s far from the truth. Technological improvements have enabled the production of brighter, energy-efficient bulbs that are even brighter than regular ones.
The best part about these energy-efficient bulbs is that they save you a bundle on electricity bills. If you’re looking for a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to light your home, then energy-efficient bulbs are just what the doctor ordered.
Allow Natural Light In
One way to make your home more sustainable is by reducing your reliance on artificial lighting. Instead, consider allowing more natural light into your house.
Not only is natural light great for lighting, but it’s also a great source of vitamin D. There are plenty of ways you can allow more natural light into your home. For instance, you can try installing a roof window or a sun tunnel.
The more natural light you let in, the less you have to depend on artificial light. What’s more, natural light makes everything look better.
Use Cold Water When Washing Clothes
Did you know that 90% of the energy used in your washing machine goes towards heating water? That’s right, so the next time you wash your clothes, you might want to skip the hot water.
You’re probably thinking, “But cold water isn’t as effective in removing stains.” That could be true, but most of the time your clothes don’t have serious stains. Unless you have grease or oil on your clothes, cold water will do just fine.
Plus, using hot water to wash your clothes will make the fabric deteriorate. This means your clothes won’t last as long as you want them to. If you can’t use cold water, then use the warm setting, which is less energy-intensive than the hot setting.
Air Dry Clothes When the Weather Allows It
Apart from using cold water when washing clothes, you should also consider skipping the dryer and air-drying clothes instead.
This is especially effective during the spring and summer when the weather is warm and sunny. During winter and fall, you get a pass to use the dryer. But during the warmer seasons, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t air-dry your clothes.
Air-drying clothes will not only save you money on your energy bills, but it will also prolong the lifespan of your clothes. So, take advantage of the good weather and air-dry your clothes instead of using a dryer.
Embrace Solar Energy
It’s unfortunate that, currently, solar energy accounts for only 3% of total energy use in the country. However, nothing screams “eco-friendly home” more than solar panels on the roof. If you want an eco-friendly home, it’s time to make the switch to solar energy.
The benefits of solar energy are plenty. For one, it’s renewable. This means you’ll never run out of solar power.
Second, it doesn’t produce any emissions, making it great for the environment and an excellent green energy source. Lastly, it can save you a ton of money in the long run because of its reduced reliance on electricity from the grid.
Installing solar panels is a big investment, but it’s one that will pay off in the long run. If you want to install solar panels on your home, you’d better find a reputable solar company to get you on the solar energy bandwagon.
With Blue Raven Solar, you can have solar panels on your roof in no time, and you won’t have to break the bank.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
If you want to save money on your energy bills, then you need to get a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature of your home according to a schedule.
This means you can have the temperature set lower when you’re not home and higher when you are. In doing so, you can save a lot of money on your energy bills and also conserve energy.
Remember, the less energy you use, the more sustainable your home becomes.
Create a Home Garden
What better way to pay homage to the earth than by creating your own home garden? A home garden doesn’t have to be big. It can be as small as a windowsill herb garden. The important thing is that you’re growing your own food.
Not only is it rewarding to eat food that you’ve grown yourself, but it’s also eco-friendly. Home gardens help reduce your carbon footprint because you’re not relying on food that’s been transported from faraway places. What’s more, you get to save money on food.
If you want to create a home garden, start small and then gradually increase the size as you get more comfortable with it. Trust us; once you start gardening, it’ll be hard to stop.
Create a Compost Bin
If you have a home garden, then chances are you already have a compost bin. If not, then it’s time to create one. A compost bin is where you put all your food scraps and other organic materials to decompose.
The beauty of a compost bin is that it helps reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. It also provides you with nutrient-rich soil for your home garden.
Creating a compost bin is easy, and it’s a must-have for every eco-friendly home. To get started, all you need is a large container with a lid, some organic materials, and a little bit of patience. Once you have all the materials, simply put the organic materials in the container and wait for them to decompose.
And there you have it! These are just some of the ways you can turn your home into an eco-friendly one. By making a few small changes, you can help reduce your carbon footprint and make a difference to the environment.
Use Environmentally-Friendly Paint
If you’re planning on painting your home, then make sure to use eco-friendly paint. Traditional paint is full of chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.
Eco-friendly paint, on the other hand, is made with natural ingredients and doesn’t contain any volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Not only is eco-friendly paint better for the environment, but it’s also better for your health.
So, next time you need to paint your home, make sure to go eco-friendly and use eco-friendly paint. Trust us; you’ll be glad you did.
Try Triple Glazing Your Windows
While double glazed windows have been a standard for homes across the country, why don’t you take it up a notch? Triple glazing means adding an extra glaze to your standard double glazed windows.
If you don’t have double-glazed windows, you’ll have to start with them first. By triple glazing your windows, you’ll be able to reduce the amount of heat loss in your home. This means you can keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, which will save you money on your energy bills.
Triple glazed windows are also great for reducing noise pollution. However, you may need a sturdier frame for these windows, because they’re much heavier and bulkier than regular ones.
Go Crazy With Plant Decorations
Plants are not only eco-friendly, but they also help improve air quality. So, what better way to make your home more eco-friendly than by filling it with plants?
You can start small by adding a few plants here and there. Or you can go big and transform one of your rooms into an indoor garden. No matter what you do, make sure to choose indoor plants that are easy to take care of.
A couple of options you should consider include aloe vera, snake plants, and bamboo. Not only do they look great, but they’re also easy to take care of. Don’t forget to water your indoor plants and keep them close to the sun.
Invest in Smart Appliances
An eco-friendly home is one thing, but an eco-friendly home that’s also a smart home is knocking it out of the park.
A smart home is basically a home where you can control most of its appliances remotely. You’re probably wondering what any of this has to do with having an eco-friendly home.
Well, if you install a smart AC and thermostat, you can reduce your energy usage quite significantly. As highlighted in Home-Hearted.com, you can also install motion sensor lights that turn on only when someone is in the room. These smart appliances play a major role in turning your home into an eco-friendly haven.
Introduce a Recycling Bin in Your Home
One of the best ways to make your home eco-friendly is by recycling. You can do your part by introducing a recycling bin into your home.
A recycling bin is a bin where you put all of your recyclable materials. Some of these recyclable materials include paper, plastic, metal, and glass. Once the bin is full, you can then take it to your local recycling center.
You can put all your recyclable materials in the bin and then take them out to the curb on recycling day. It’s that easy. Plus, it’s a great way to teach your kids about being eco-friendly and doing their part for the environment.
A recycling bin is a great way to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. It also reduces the amount of toxic material going into the soil.
Transform Your House Into an Eco-Friendly Home Today
Use the above tips to transform your home into an eco-friendly home ASAP. You don’t have to do it all at once. Take it step-by-step until your house is completely eco-friendly.
Remember, when settling for a solar company for your panels, explore your options and pick the best one you can find. It’s a huge step towards going green and ushering the world closer to a more sustainable future.
We hope you loved this article. Check out the other posts on the site for more informative content.
Learn more about the effect of air pollution, the ways to prevent it by utilizing the environment-friendly and biodegradable products, on this website: www.angelosepoxyflooring.com