Increased environmental awareness has led many people to try to reduce their carbon footprint. There are some large measures you can take to live in a more eco-friendly way, but sometimes taking several small steps can make just as big of a difference.
Green homes that employ sustainable energy are becoming more and more popular. These homes are using cutting-edge technology to allow people to be more eco-friendly without incurring exorbitant costs or inconveniences. There are several things you can do to make your home eco-friendly—read on to learn about some of our favorites!
Recycle
This is one of the main initial steps people take when they want to be more environmentally conscious. Most waste management operations offer people a recycling bin in addition to their garbage can. If you don’t have a recycling bin, you can purchase one. By familiarizing yourself with what can be recycled (glass, plastic, paper, etc.) and making the effort to recycle, you can help do your part in the preservation of the environment.
LED lights
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are more energy efficient than traditional incandescent light bulbs. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that LED lights consume 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and they last 25 times as long. While LEDs may cost a bit more than traditional light bulbs, they can last up to 13 years each, making them extremely cost efficient.
Use rags or hand towels instead of paper towels
While you probably can’t stop using paper towels completely, you can still reduce the number of paper towels you normally use. If you’re just drying your hands at home, you can use a cloth towel. If you’re out and about and have a choice between drying your hands with paper towels or an air dryer, choose the air dryer. Also, using rags made from old shirts instead of paper towels can help reduce carbon emissions.
Clean your clothes in cold water
It’s true that you must wash your clothes, but most of the time you don’t have to use hot water. Most of the energy used when washing your clothes (about 90 percent) is used to heat the water. So, using cold water can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions as well as extend the lifespan and color vibrancy of your clothes.
Buy a houseplant
Because they turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, houseplants are a great way to improve your home’s air quality in addition to being eco-friendly. Plus, caring for a plant in your home has been shown to improve mood and productivity.
Grow your own food
If you have the space, growing your own food in a garden is a terrific way to be more environmentally conscious. It eliminates the carbon emissions required to transport food to and from supermarkets, and at the same time provides you with fresh food. You can also choose what you’d like to grow, and it could be anything from herbs to hot peppers.
Call for your green home today
As you can see, there’s more to keeping a green home than simply utilizing a compost pile. There are several small measures you can take to make your home eco-friendly, but there’s also the option of taking things to the next level by living in a green home. When it comes to eco-friendly green homes, we at Healthy Communities are the experts. We believe in the power of sustainability, and we’d love to build you an energy-efficient home. Reach out to learn more!