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Most people turn off lights before leaving their home, but try doing so every time you leave a room. From installing solar panels and recycling to using smart cars and everything in between, the world is moving toward a more environmentally friendly way of life. People are taking great strides when it comes to reducing their carbon footprint on Mother Earth. Many are finding ways to make their house environmentally friendly. There are also LED lights for outside your home, or you could opt for solar-powered outdoor lighting to illuminate paths, steps and other areas.
Install solar panels
For example, an energy-efficient toilet will use less water for every flush. To further boost your house’s eco-friendly attributes, upgrade the roof. Schedule a roof inspection annually to determine whether your roof is in need of a fix-up. If this occurs, talk to your roofer about adding energy-efficient features like solar panels.
- It can also reduce the rainwater run-off so it stays out of the local system.
- For even more tips, check our separate post on how to build an energy-efficient home on a budget.
- Learn more about the principles of green architecture, plus decorating and design ideas to consider for your own home.
- “Many detergents today are formulated to work just as effectively in cold water.” Decorate your house with sustainable fabrics made from recycled Indian saris.
Smart Sustainable Investments: How to Create an Eco-Friendly Home
Most homes in the UK have either solid walls, which can be insulated from the inside or outside, or cavity walls, which have a gap that can be filled with insulation. If you aren’t able to afford solar panel installation upfront, leasing might be a great option for you. Sunrun offers leasing and monthly loans, and of course, you can purchase them outright to take advantage of the 30% tax credits still available.
Reduce waste
Overall, choosing non-toxic paints and finishes is a simple yet effective way to make eco-friendly home improvements. By making this small change, homeowners can improve indoor air quality and reduce their impact on the environment. Improving your home’s insulation is one of the more minimal investments you can make that makes a big difference in overall heat loss. With less heat loss, the home will stay at more consistent temperatures making your heating and cooling appliances work less and save energy. Beyond reducing your carbon footprint, the benefits of electrification are that it can lead to lower bills, reduced maintenance costs, quieter operations, and improved temperature control. LED light bulbs consume up to 90% less energy, reduce your electricity consumption, and last longer.
tankless hot water heater in sustainable homes
These technologies generate electricity or heat for your home using naturally occurring resources, which reduces your reliance on fossil fuels. You can even sell the excess energy back to the grid and earn some extra pocket money. By making your home more efficient in terms of heat retention, you save energy, money, and the environment. How to make your home more environmentally friendly Selecting the right location for your eco-friendly house is more than just a matter of aesthetics. Choose a site with optimal solar access, natural landscapes, and proximity to public transportation to reduce your carbon footprint. A well-chosen site can have a substantial impact on your house’s overall sustainability.
- As an added bonus, bees are great pollinators, which means your garden will thrive.
- These can include reclaimed wood from old buildings, recycled glass, or salvaged bricks.
- If you want your home to be truly environmentally-friendly, it is important to make sure that it is not only well-insulated, but with eco-friendly insulation.
These paints are non-toxic, biodegradable, and emit little to no VOCs. Other options include low-VOC paints and finishes that are manufactured using fewer harmful chemicals. There are many eco-friendly options that you can pick up from home improvement stores or order online from green companies like Ecos Paints. Proper ventilation is essential for maintaining good indoor air quality. It helps to remove pollutants and allergens from the air and bring in fresh air from outside.
Before you can dive into the four energy efficiency areas, you really need to know how well your home is performing and have a strategy for making decisions and investments. Using pesticides can cause toxins to leak into streams, ponds, lakes, and wells, and can contaminate groundwater. Pesticides are not only dangerous to the environment and our health, but also pets and other wild animals. Alternative ways to keep critters at bay include companion planting, crop rotation, and keeping plants as healthy as possible so that they become naturally resistant to pests. In addition to turning off taps when brushing your teeth, save a sink’s water flow by up to 30% with a WaterSense-labeled faucet. Low-flow shower heads also decreases water consumption by at least 40%.