Greening Up Your Home: What You Should Know

Awareness of our impact on the environment is spreading, and it’s more complicated than not recycling.  The water we use each day, the energy we demand and the CO2 emissions we put off are all having their effect on our environment.  With this knowledge is the desire to do something about it and one of the most popular things is ‘greening up the home.’  There are literally hundreds of things an individual can do to make their home more environmentally friendly.

Energy

Where energy is concerned, one of the most important things a homeowner can do is take advantage of wind or solar power.  Along with that, individuals can use less energy and save more money with the following tips:

• Installing energy efficient appliances, including washers and dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers and all other appliances.  Energy Star appliances are a good way to go, as they use less energy than other appliances on the market.
• Energy Star windows will keep more hot sun out, keeping the house cooler.  This will result in less of a need for artificial cooling.  Energy Star windows can also help keep harmful UV rays out.
• Insulation can help save energy, as it helps keep the cool or warm air in the house in the summer or winter.  It cuts down on the AC or heat usage.
• Open the doors and windows rather than turning on the AC.
• Leave the thermostat on 78 degrees – and use fans if you’re hot or wrap up in a sweater if you’re cold. This will save some energy, too.

Water

• Using less water is a goal all homeowners should have, and there are several ways to accomplish that goal, including:
• Installing an irrigation system that uses timers and sensors to prevent overwatering and water usage.
• Installing low-flow and water efficient fixtures like faucets, toilets, and showerheads.
• Catching rain water and using gray water for plants and flushing toilets.
• Fix any leaks that you might have in your home.  Leaks can account for a large portion of your water bill each month, and of course, they’re a huge waste of clean water.

Other Tips

When purchasing new things for your home – whether it’s flooring, furniture or art – purchase sustainable or recycled items.  For instance, bamboo floors are absolutely beautiful and they’re sustainable.  So it’s much better for the environment if you invest in bamboo floors than if you were to purchase oak or pine floors.  Or, take advantage of recycled wood floors – so you’re saving trees from being cut down and keeping the wood from ending up in the garbage.

Furniture created using sustainable or recycled materials also helps you ‘green’ up your home.  When you buy recycled materials, you keep them from ending up in a landfill and reduce the new items that are made – which used energy and resources to be created.  By employing eco-friendly practices and purchasing sustainable and energy-reserving goods, you can really create an eco-friendly home to be proud of.

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