We may not know it but our homes tend to continually lose/waste energy. If you are planning on making your home a more eco-friendly abode, you will need to find out the areas where energy and resources are being wasted, and tend to them immediately. Here are some tips that will help you scout for these issues and have them rectified in a timely manner.
Make use of natural light
Rather than relying on artificial light sources for your home’s lighting needs, turn to natural lighting solutions for the same purpose. Opening the blinds is a start while installing skylights at appropriate places is also another way to prevent the overuse of lights in the house. Remember, one hour of natural lights that stops you from switching on the lights will save up to 1.22 pounds of carbon dioxide which translates to 0.216 metric tons of carbon dioxide saved in a year.
Take care of leaks promptly
Don’t be surprised if you find out that leaky faucet in your bathroom may cause your home to waste at least 10000 gallons of water in a year. Maintaining your home’s plumbing system can prevent this wastage to a great extent. You can try fixing a small problem by yourself. However, if it is a big leak, consider calling a plumber to have it fixed in order to avoid issues later on. An annual inspection of the home’s plumbing system can also help spot issues before they could become major problems later on.
Reuse and Upcycle Items
While recycling is a great way to make your home eco-friendly, you can find a better solution in reusing and upcycling items. For instance, you can reuse old mason jars as containers for leftover food, a herb garden or maybe even a piggy bank. Look closely at each object you wish to recycle. Can you use it in any other way? If yes, then reuse or upcycle it immediately.
Choose energy efficient lighting solutions
Standard incandescent light bulbs not only consume more energy, but also emit heat waves and toxic fumes. A more energy efficient solution would be to replace these bulbs with LEDs that consume up to 10 times less power than incandescent bulbs. That is nearly 80% less energy used which, in turn, translates to plenty of cost savings for your house in the long run.
Check Indoor Air Quality
Checking indoor air quality is essential for maintaining an eco-friendly home environment. Poor air quality can badly affect health and overall well-being. To ensure a healthier living space, investing in professional radon testing equipment is essential. Radon, an invisible and odorless gas, can seep into homes and pose serious health risks, including the potential for lung cancer. By using professional radon testing equipment, homeowners can monitor and manage indoor air quality issues, fostering a safer and more sustainable living space for everyone.
Charge electronic items using solar power
A lot of households have started installing solar panels on their roofs, terraces and lawns to harness the sun’s power for their energy needs. You don’t need to opt for an expensive solar panel to bring down your energy costs. Rather, opt to buy a solar power charger that can be used to power small electronic devices like your smartphones, tablets, laptops, torches and so on. The charger will make use of the sun’s rays to charge these devices, thus reducing the need for you to rely on grid energy for the same purpose.
Wash dishes and clothes only on full load
It pays to run the washing machine and dish washer with a full load of clothes and dishes respectively. Operating these machines for a few clothes and dishes will lead to a lot of energy being wasted in the process. Also attempt to wash clothes on a cold setting while choosing to line dry them instead of using the dryer. The same applies to dishes which you can dry by hand instead of steaming them. These steps will help prevent energy wastage in your home, thus reducing your carbon footprint to an extent.
Making your home more eco-friendly is not a herculean task. You can easily make your abode a greener place to live in for your loved ones as well as the environment with a few simple tips and tricks.
