Creating an eco-friendly home

The whole world is talking about going green and eco-friendliness. It can be easy to get lost in what people are talking about and what it all means. For the majority of people, being eco-friendly starts and ends with recycling. However, being eco-friendly is about so much more than just recycling. Being eco-friendly entails a lifestyle change and a commitment to making changes around your home. These tips on creating an eco-friendly home will help you reduce your impact on the environment.

Paint

To start with, a home takes a lot of paint both internally and externally. Unfortunately, most regular paints are not good for the environment as they contain high levels of volatile organic compounds. Thus, as you pick both your internal and external paint, ensure that you opt for paint containing low levels of volatile organic compounds.

Alternative energy

One of the biggest steps you can take towards an eco-friendly home is investing in an alternative energy source. When it comes to renewable energy it does not get any better than solar energy. Solar energy comes with an initial investment for the infrastructure and installation. However, solar energy is completely free and will save you lots of money on energy bills in the long run.

Re-purpose and the recycling

Recycling is one of biggest aspects of going green and making a move towards eco-friendliness. Recycling helps you separate the waste from your house and thus enabling you to re-purpose and reuse some of it. For example, waste from your kitchen can be used as compost for your garden. You can also aim to minimise your plastic consumption, as plastic is one of the planets biggest pollutants.

Water usage

Another primary concern for homeowners should be reducing their water usage. An affordable means by which to reduce water consumption is by installing a low flow shower head. This will not only help you save on your water bill but also conserve a precious natural resource. Other simpler water conservation tips include reducing your shower time, as well closing taps while washing. Upgrading your toilet cistern to one that uses less water is another crucial step towards an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Energy saving

Water heating systems are a great contributor to high energy bills. Consider adding a timer to your water heater so that it heats water only when needed. In addition, you can make the switch to energy saving bulbs. Although more expensive to purchase LED bulbs have a longer lifespan and ultimately, they will reduce your energy consumption.

Add plants

Consider adding plants in and around the home to improve the air quality, act as a buffer to reduce noise pollution, as well as for adding insulation.

Smart landscaping

Carefully planned efficient landscaping can significantly reduce your need for extra lighting thereby reducing your energy bill. Thus, your landscaping plan should take into consideration the placement of trees in a manner that allows for sufficient light to enter the premises.

Appliances

To make a marked reduction in your energy usage opt for energy efficient appliances. This will not only reduce your energy bill but also reduce the impact your home makes on the environment.

 

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