10 Methods to Achieve Sustainability in Your Home

Climate change data and findings have posed as a stress for the world. Rising sea levels, floating plastic islands in the ocean, dramatic changes in weather patterns and animal extinction. It’s a very heavy topic. However, there is action we can take that helps reduce such impacts, right from the comfort of our own homes. Without spending too much money in the process. Here are 10 ways that can make your energy bill shrink and help save the planet. 

  1. Line Dry Clothes.

    • Drying your clothes in the dryer may be faster than air drying, however it can be a bigger convenience not to have to rush back to your dryer so someone else can use it. In fact, reducing the amount you use your air dryer can help reduce lint buildup in your dryer or the potential of a dangerous house fire. Not to mention it will preserve the quality of your clothes without having to replace them sooner. Best of all, it will save you money all year long. 

  2. LED bulbs.

    • Switching out your light bulbs to LEDs will save your energy bill and having to go back to the store for another 13 years for bulbs. LEDs are 80% more efficient and reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Just don’t forget to turn them off when you’re not in a room or leave the house! 

  3. Rags over Paper Towels.

    • Rags are a very minimal expense in comparison to the amount of paper towels you’ll go through in a year. While paper towels are handy to have around, rags will end up saving you money and can be reused. Paper towels often end up as waste in landfills, and consume a lot of energy and resources to be made. Same goes for using cloth napkins! 

  4. Power strips - The Easy Switch.

    • Ever heard of “vampire appliances”? TV’s and phones are a major culprit. Using power chords helps reduce unnecessary energy usage and cost when these items aren’t in use. With everything plugged in, you can switch off the strip turning off all of your devices at once. 

  5. Reducing, Reusing, Recycling.

    • Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste in landfills and conserves the amount of natural or raw resources we would need to create a new product. Plus it saves energy and prevents pollution. Be sure to check numbers and products as well, sometimes containers can be reused and often come in handy.

  6. Composting.

    • Compost on the other hand, isn’t as gross or difficult as it sounds. You can freeze your food scraps in a bag or use a countertop compost bin. This will keep the frequency and weight of your trash to a minimum on your trip to the dumpster, leaving you with a fresh smelling kitchen. 

  7. Smart thermostat.

    • This is an investment that will save you bucks and the environment in the long run. The thermostat learns whether you are active in your home or not and can help automatically adjust your temperatures to help save energy. Plus, having the convenience of changing the temperature from your phone is a plus. 

  8. Low Flow Shower Head.

    • Showering is a major source of our water usage. Replacing your shower head with a low flow shower head can help you save up to 2,700 gallons of water a year according to the EPA.  

  9. Window treatments 

    • Having treated windows can help regulate temperatures in your home. A simple solution without having to completely replace your windows is to install blinds or shades so you can still peer outside without spending extra on your energy bills. 

  10. Air Leaks & Insulation 

    • Preventing air leaks can help keep your HVAC system from overworking to maintain your desired house temperatures. Caulking around your windows and doors using weather strips can help reduce the impact of this sneaky energy sucker.

 

Want More Tips For Managing Your Home?

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Sustainability, Home MaintenanceAnna Cook