Yesterday was the Earth day. But, living in a sustainable way is not a one-day-mission. It will guarantee that there will be a future for the whole humankind and all species and plants on our beautiful planet.
If you’re committed to the cause, but struggle to find the right steps, here is a small guide with 10 excellent tips and ideas for you. The best part is that all these tips don’t require major reconstructions and investments in your home. All of them can be planned and implemented in the gradual process of making your place a greener, better place to live.
#1 Heating And Cooling
Nearly half of a home’s energy consumption is spent on heating or cooling. But do you know the most effective way to reduce costs and consumption? Actually there are a few things to help you cut expenses. First, make sure your home is well insulated. Good insulation will not only keep warmth in the house in cold days, but it will also prevent it entering your home in hot ones. Shades and blinds are the perfect additions to your home to help you fight off high summer temperatures.
#2 Energy Saving Appliances
Are electrical appliances the biggest energy consumer in your home? Vacuum cleaners, ovens, and toasters are responsible for 18% of your household electricity bill. However, the fridge is the number one by a stretch as it’s up and running 365 days a year. If your home appliances are too old (10 years or older) they probably need to be replaced with a new generation of energy-efficient ones. You’ll notice your energy bill decreasing in no time.
#3 Shut Off The Tap
Water is invaluable, still people continue to waste the liquid gold. It won’t be that far in the future when drinkable water will be more expensive than gold. Do you know that leaving water running while you brush you teeth wastes 17 liters? Changing your habits can be tough, but it’s worthwhile in such instances.
#4 Green Cleaners
Don’t be surprised to learn that commercial cleaning products are responsible for a significant part of water and soil toxic pollution. Experts estimate that it’s accountable for well over 10% of all toxic exposure. Most of the time, people don’t know what is in the bottle or canister they buy because manufacturers don’t list ingredients. All modern chemical cleaners were developed with the start of WWII as a substitute for soap. But how did people use to clean before that?
Photo: Mike Baker
Well, they used natural products such as salt, vinegar or baking soda. They even made soap. All of these substances are effective, eco-friendly and budget-friendly. You can find a lot of cleaning recipes online or tap the wisdom of your grandparents. They can tell you a lot about green cleaning. Another idea is to use the service of a professional cleaning company that uses only eco-friendly detergents.
#5 Replace Light bulbs
Incandescent lamps are technology from the last century, but still occupy the minds and hearts of many people with its warm, soft glow. Fluorescent light bulbs are the modern answer to the obsolete incandescent ones. These new light bulbs use up to 70% less energy and last between 8 and 10 times longer than the standard lamps. Another energy-saving option is LED bulbs. These bulbs are even better because they don’t contain hazardous materials.
P.S. Check out this inspiring trailer of Planetary:
#6 Cut Tree Consumption
Most people think that in the new digital era of Google, Apple and Facebook people use less paper? After all, we don’t write letters, but e-mails. We don’t read books but have e-readers. We use tablets instead of restaurant menus. Well, you might be surprised that paper consumption is on the rise. The main culprits are junk mail and packaging. Millions of trees are dying because tons of junk mail are distributed through the mail each week.
#7 Plastic-Free Life
Imagine how wonderful would it be if there wasn’t so many plastics in our life? No plastic bags, no soda bottles, no sandwich bags … Various estimates put the number of polyethylene plastic bags thrown away every year at 100 billion! This is a staggering number. What’s more, most plastic products are made from petroleum, which is one of the most energy-intensive raw material to extract from the depths of the Earth and number one contributor to global warming.
#8 Hardwood Flooring
Though hardwood flooring is fabulous to have in one’s home due to its luxurious looks and perceived social value, thousands of acres of forests are decimated to produce it each year. And as we know trees are the lungs of our planet. No trees, no air to breathe. However, there are alternatives to hardwood flooring like natural fiber carpets or even bamboo. Bamboo is actually a grass, which is eco-friendly flooring material, highly durable and surprisingly appealing option.
#9 The Right Paint
Probably you wouldn’t want to know what conventional paints contain. All you need to know is that these products are made of substances which cause ozone pollution, smog and decrease indoor air quality. It’s recommended using natural paints to refresh the looks of your home interior. Though these products are more expensive, you wouldn’t want to risk your health to spend a couple of bucks, right?
#10 Gardening
What is a better way to make your home greener this spring than a real green garden, full of plants and flowers? Try to use native plants because it’ll increase your chances to succeed. Local plants are better adapted and require less attention and resources to grow and sustain. Next, avoid using chemicals to boost growth. Instead, make a compost and use it to maintain the healthy balance of nutrients in the soil.
Start with small steps. Make your home greener. Your kids will thank you one day!
If you find these tips useful, feel free to share them with your friends. For any questions or suggestions, use the comments section below.
- Tips To Reduce Household Waste - November 25, 2021
- What is Chemical Cleaning of Boilers? What to Know? - May 25, 2021
- How to Post Clean a House After Construction or Renovation? Checklist & Tips - May 18, 2021
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