Despite what many think, creating a more sustainable home is easy. For example, did you know that replacing a single incandescent lightbulb with a fluorescent one saves your home $40 per year on the energy bill?
Not only will switching to a fluorescent lightbulb save you money but it also lasts way longer. Little steps, such as changing lightbulbs, make a big difference when it comes to creating a more sustainable home.
Many people may wonder, “What’s the big deal about sustainability?” Well, sustainability makes our world a cleaner and greener place. It’s important to protect the Earth we live on.
If you are interested in creating a more sustainable home, check out our guide below. It might be easier than you think!
1. Weatherize Your Home
Every smart homeowner should take the time to weatherize their home. Weatherizing your home involves evaluating how your home holds up against extreme hot and cold temperatures and then making the needed changes to improve its insulation. It’s also a big step towards creating a more sustainable home.
2. Make Some Notes Towards Creating a More Sustainable Home
Making some notes is another important step towards creating a more sustainable home. Walk around your home with a pen and a piece of paper. Write down anything that needs to be fixed or improved to better sustain the temperature in your home.
Make notes of any cracks in the windows or missing weather strips on your doors. Pop your head into the attic to see how the insulation is holding up. Guarantee there are no holes, cracks, or gaps in any of the home’s piping.
3. Make Your Improvements
Now that you know what needs to be fixed, it’s time to get to work. Run to a local home improvement store to pick up supplies, or contact a local contractor for help.
Seal gaps and cracks in piping with caulk. Replace the weatherstripping around your windows and doors. And don’t forget to look into the benefits of home window tinting!
It also doesn’t hurt to seal your electrical outlets, throw a cover over your water tank, and seal storm windows with plastic. All of these small steps make a big impact on energy savings which goes a long way toward creating a more sustainable home!
4. Shop Secondhand
A great step towards creating a more sustainable home and living an eco-friendlier lifestyle is learning to shop secondhand.
For example, let’s say you want to redecorate your living room or kitchen. Instead of immediately heading to the nearest home decor store, check out a thrift or antique shop.
These stores allow people to give unique items a second life, instead of letting them be tossed in a landfill.
Buying furniture and other home items requires more work when coming from a secondhand shop, but that’s the fun in it. You can refurbish, repaint, and redesign to match your personal home aesthetic.
5. Invest in Reusable Items
Did you know humans throw away 2 billion tons of waste each year? Investing in reusable items is a huge step in creating a more sustainable home.
Purchase reusable containers to place in your kitchen cabinets. Use them to store leftovers, hold rice and other grains, and protect your produce. In the bathroom, you can opt for refillable hand soap and shampoos. This will eliminate some of the need for plastic wraps and bags, as well as reduce the number of plastic bottles being used and discarded too.
Place a few reusable grocery bags by your car keys. This will remind you to use reusable bags instead of the plastic bags that grocery stores provide.
Invest in reusable hand towels and face wipes. There’s no need to constantly use paper towels and disposable makeup wipes.
6. Plant the Ultimate Green Garden
Lush plants help keep your home cool in the summer. This cuts down on heat and your energy bill.
Head to your local nursery to gather drought-resistant plants to use on your lawn. Drought-resistant plants cut down on water usage.
While at the nursery, pick up a few spare buckets to place on your lawn. Use these buckets to collect rainwater. This rainwater can later be used to water your garden.
Once you’ve planted your garden and new bushes, lay down mulch. Mulch reduces evaporation and prevents soil erosion.
Planting an herb garden or a vegetable garden is a great way to save. That’s less for you to buy at the grocery store.
7. Go Solar
When creating a more sustainable home going solar makes a big impact. We suggest every smart homeowner installs solar panels on their roof. Using renewable resources cuts down on the need for burning fossil fuels and reduces your power bill.
Of course, using solar panels makes the most sense if you live somewhere that receives plenty of sunlight. If you’re unsure about making the investment, chat with local solar companies about your potential solar benefits.
Solar panels do come with a high installation cost, but many solar companies offer leasing options and payment plans. While the initial cost is high, the savings over time make it worth it.
8. Make a Family Plan
When creating a more sustainable home, it’s important to get everyone on the same page. Have a family meeting to create a green living plan.
Chat about the water and electrical usage in your home. Encourage everyone to take shorter showers and to turn the lights off when leaving a room.
Discuss the importance of handwashing dishes and clothing items. Or come up with a plan to wash loads of laundry together to reduce the number of separate loads.
Brainstorm different ways your family can carpool to work and school, and invest in a couple of bikes to use for local errands. Biking is a great way to cut down on carbon emissions while getting exercise.
Final Thoughts on Creating a More Sustainable Home for a Greener Future
Remember that every small step adds up to make a big impact. Taking these steps towards creating a more sustainable home leads to a brighter, cleaner future.
Weatherize your home to improve insulation, and reduce heat further by planting a lush garden. Invest in reusable containers and shop secondhand. And don’t forget to chat with a local solar company about installing panels on your roof!