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Tips for an Eco-Friendly Home
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels
Being environmentally conscious starts within the household. Each of your daily habits contributes in some way towards your footprint on the planet. While you may think one person can’t make a difference, the combined efforts of everyone will have an enormous impact. Choosing eco-friendly alternatives and more energy-efficient options can benefit not only the environment but also your bank account.
Here are some easy changes you can implement in your home to make it more eco-friendly.
Save water
Living in North America means having access to fresh water, but it is still a limited resource. Conserving water is very important as we need water to survive. If you tend to use a lot of hot water in your home, the costs can start to add up. To conserve water, make sure that you encourage everyone in your home to shut off the taps when they’re not in use. If you notice leaky faucets get them fixed straight away, or water will continuously be running down the drain. Use cold water whenever possible and swap out your shower-head for a low flow option.
Invest in solar panels
Though they’re not cheap in the beginning, solar panels can provide your home with clean electricity for years to come. They are an investment, and it can take a while to make your money back, but they are worthwhile. If you live in a relatively sunny area, you may even be able to sell some of the electricity back to the grid. Additionally, installing solar panels in Utah and other similar areas is more economical and efficient than ever before, thanks to increased demand and local government incentives.
Using solar panels means eliminating your commercial energy usage, and it’s the best way to make your home more sustainable.
Use natural cleaners
Commercial cleaners are packed full of chemicals that are harmful to your family and the environment. When you clean with these chemicals, they all end up in the water system, which then contaminates the water supply. It’s not essential to use these products to clean your home, and many natural options do the job just as well. Household pantry items like vinegar and baking soda can clean just about anything in your home without the harmful effects.
Upgrade to a high-efficiency furnace
Heating technology has evolved drastically with the last few years, and the majority of installed furnaces are very outdated. New models are extremely energy efficient and can dramatically lower your utility bill. Older furnaces, whether powered by gas or electric, burn a lot of energy to help heat your home. The addition of smart thermostats will allow you to heat your home in zones and, therefore, only heat the rooms you need to.
Compost
Any natural waste does not need to go into landfills, and you can instead dispose of it in a compost. Many towns and cities have composting programs that will take your food waste for you and compost it properly in a large facility. Proper compost will stop the foods from emitting harmful methane gas and instead turn it into rich fertilizer than can be used to nourish new crops. If your town doesn’t have a compost program, you can create one yourself or purchase one for your yard.
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