How to Go Greener at Home

If you’re like many Americans around the country, you probably already recycle your aluminum products and whatever is allowed in your bin. However, in addition to your daily recycling routine, there are several other things you can do to make sure your home is greener than ever.

You may have used interior design tips to make your home more pleasing to the eye, taking the time to complete some of the tips below can improve its overall carbon footprint. Take a few minutes to review this article and you may be surprised to find that you can not only make your home more eco-friendly, but some of them can also save you money as well.

Smart Thermostats 

It stands to reason that you want to save money on your electric bill, and with a smart thermostat, you can do that and more. These days, smart meters are affordable and many of them provide real-time monitoring of your home’s energy usage.

These wonderful devices not only enable you to set the perfect temperature, but they also give you complete control whether you’re home or at work. Program your smart thermostat with whole-home sensors to turn off during the day and you can even set them to turn on shortly before you get home to ensure a comfortable environment in both summer and winter.

Go Solar

While solar panels for your home have been around for quite some time, unfortunately, adoption has been rather sporadic. Upgrading your home to include solar panels upgrades can help reduce your traditional electricity usage and, over time, have the possibility to even eliminate your electric bill.

Furthermore, they have the potential to increase your home’s value.

Composting

Every year, literally tons of food waste ends up in our landfills. However, with a little effort, you can affordably do your part to reduce that waste. With a composting routing and a simple compost bin, you can have some perfect fertilizer for your yard or garden.

Couple this with purchasing smaller portions of the ingredients you need for individual recipes and your green home, and lifestyle, will be even more eco-friendly.

Take a Look at Your Home’s Insulation

Home insulation has come a long way since the traditional sheets of fiberglass option.

• Loose-fill insulation can conform to any space without disturbing structures or finishes.
• Radiant barriers are generally used in attics to reduce summer heat inside the home.
• Reflective insulation reflects radiant heat and you can get it installed in a variety of backings, such as thermal insulation, plastic film, cardboard, polyethylene bubbles, and other options.

Stop Wasting Water

Sure, you may be doing your part to conserve water by not running the sink when brushing your teeth, but there is a bit more you can do. While you can search exposed plumbing for leaks, including outdoor spigots, the bulk of your water supply is located within the walls or underground. Consider hiring a licensed plumber to ensure your home is not leaking water… and money.

Additionally, families of four can save an average of 150,000 liters of water by installing low-flow showerheads and high-efficiency toilets. A few other things you can do to conserve water and be greener, are:

• Don’t water your lawn during extreme heat as a good portion tends to evaporate.
• Install a rain barrel for outdoor watering.
• Only wash laundry and dishes when you have a full load.
• Ask your local authorities about a home water audit. 

Lastly, planting a rain garden can save water by catching stormwater runoff.

Making sure your home is as green as possible is almost assured to give you a bit of peace of mind and save you money in the long run.