Living a more eco-friendly lifestyle often means making small changes to the way you do things at work and at home, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, going green often saves money in the long run, especially when it comes to running your household. Being more thoughtful about sustainability can help you protect the natural resources around you for generations to come, so think about how you and your family can go green one step at a time.
Reducing your carbon footprint is a great start, and you can also add some literal greenery to your area by collecting and propagating plants. Fritz Energy shares a few simple ways you can make a big impact on the planet.
Make Your Home Energy-Friendly
Take a look around your house to identify areas that could use an update. Visit Fritz Energy to find out more about how energy is lost in your home and what you can do to preserve it. Are there cracks around windows and doors that need to be sealed up? If you need windows replaced or repaired, it’s best to call on professionals to get the job done right. Look for contractors that specialize in residential window repair near you by using an online service directory. Read up on customer reviews and reach out directly for quotes on the work. Be sure to check on their credentials, as you don’t want to be on the hook in case the repair or installation is sub-par.
Are you using older appliances that don’t have energy-efficient ratings? Consider having an energy audit so you can see how much is being used each month. You can replace some items, including incandescent light bulbs, in favor of those that use less energy and save on your monthly utility bills. If you want to go bigger, consider adding solar panels to your roof or installing a programmable thermostat. Just make sure that for every update you make to your home, you save the receipts so you’ll have proof of the boosted value should you decide to sell down the road.
Know What to Look For
If you’re already thinking of moving, it’s important to know what to look for in an eco-friendly home. The windows, roof, doors, and heating/air system are some of the biggest aspects to pay attention to; windows should be dual-paned for insulation, and, as Homes To Love points out, the roof should ideally be made of recycled or long-lasting materials that are specifically designed to keep your home cool during hot summers. Don’t forget to take the landscaping into account, as well, looking for options that require little or even no water to maintain.
Reduce…
While your home is a major consideration where going green is concerned, it’s also important to change a few behaviors for the better. Reducing your consumption of red meat, electricity, and fossil fuels can make a big impact on the local environment, so consider altering your diet a bit, unplugging electronics while they’re not in use, utilizing natural light in your home or office as much as possible, and carpooling, walking, or riding a bike when you’re able to. You can also add indoor plants to improve the air and install low-flow plumbing fixtures to lower water usage.
…and Reuse
Recycling has long been an easy tool to promote a more eco-friendly lifestyle, and now we know about even more ways to reuse items and give them a longer life. While you’re making a few changes to your habits, think about how you can keep certain items from going into the trash by upcycling old furniture, buying second-hand, and using clothing, towels, and blankets in new ways. In many cases, you can get creative with a lot of the things you’re holding onto and turn them into items you can sell, either at a local consignment shop or online.
Make Mindful Purchases
Many people are choosier than ever before about the products they purchase and the companies they support. Being eco-friendly is not just about recycling or using less water — it’s also about being conscious of the entire life cycle of a product, from its sourcing and production to its eventual disposal. That’s why more and more people are choosing to buy fair trade as part of their eco-friendly lifestyle.
When you buy fair trade, you can be confident that the workers who made your product were treated fairly and paid a livable wage. You also know that the product was sourced from sustainable, environmentally friendly practices. In short, fair trade is a way to vote with your dollar for a more just and sustainable world.
Going green comes with many benefits, including the ability to save money throughout the year or even enhance your home’s value. You don’t have to make several big changes all at once, however; tackle a few smaller ideas first and give yourself time to get used to them.
