Make Your Home More Environmentally Friendly

Right now, it’s more important than ever that we all play a part in protecting the planet for future generations. While this can include changing your consumer habits by buying second-hand or by walking to work instead of driving, starting with your actual home and habits at home can be one of the most beneficial ways to improve your sustainability. Here are some simple yet effective ways to get started.

• Turn off your lights. Not only will turning off your lights whenever you leave a room help to conserve energy and reduce your household's carbon footprint, but it will also allow you to save money on your monthly energy bills. 

• Start recycling - the right way. Recycling your waste is another great way to make your home more environmentally friendly. However, it’s vital that you do it right. For example, you should ensure that you properly separate your waste. You should also be aware of which household items cannot be recycled so that you can dispose of them properly. 

• Be mindful of peak energy usage hours. Generally, peak energy hours are between 4 and 9 pm, although this can very slightly by location. By conserving energy during these hours (avoiding doing laundry, lights, air conditioning and heating, and additional power-related projects), not only are you saving money (energy is generally cheaper during non-peak hours), but you’re also using more clean energy and taking pressure off the grid.

• Consider switching to solar energy. Installing a tesla solar roof or solar paneling into your home is a great way to reduce the impact your property has on the environment. Furthermore, they are incredibly energy-efficient and durable, meaning that they are often long-lasting. They can also add considerable value to your home should you consider selling it in the future, as many buyers are on the lookout for eco-friendly homes.

• Think carefully about the products you purchase. Certain household items, such as cleaning products, contain chemicals that can have an incredibly negative effect on the planet, especially if they are not disposed of properly. However, you can mitigate this risk and make your home more eco-friendly by changing your habits to purchase items that are better for the environment. For example, you can even make your own cleaning products using things you already have lying around in your cupboards. 

• Reduce your meat consumption. While this does necessarily mean you have to become a vegetarian, reducing your household’s meat consumption is a great way to start putting the environment first. This is due to the fact that it helps you to lower your personal greenhouse gas emissions.

• Switch to double-glazing. Ensuring that your windows have double-glazing can help make your home more energy-efficient, thus lowering your overall energy consumption and helping keep your home warmer during the winter. 

• Add extra insulation. Adding extra insulation to your home, particularly in areas such as your attic or basement, is a great way to make your home more eco-friendly. Similarly, you can also improve your energy efficiency by ensuring your home is draught-free. 

• Say no to landfill sites. Whether you are remodeling your home or simply buying too many new clothes, it’s important that you change the way in which you think about waste. For example, instead of throwing items away with your general waste, you should try to avoid landfill sites as much as possible. Instead, you could try to give your pre-loved items a second life through upcycling or by donating them to local charities.