Is saving the planet in the back of your mind but comfort always takes priority?
While grand gestures such as installing solar panels or starting a compost pile are great ways to go green, they are huge steps. Instead of putting off sustainable practices until you are ready for these money or time-consuming changes, why not do small things to make your home more sustainable?
That way, you can stay comfortable and save your precious resources, too—time, money, and energy—as you save the planet and put your conscience to rest!
To help you start, here are 7 small but mighty ways to make your home more sustainable without making any big changes:
Lighting
Switch to LED Bulbs
One of the easiest ways to make your home more sustainable is to switch out your light bulbs. Traditional incandescent bulbs use a lot of energy and give off heat, which means they are not only bad for the environment but also drive up your energy bills.
Instead, switch to LED lighting. These bulbs last much longer than incandescent bulbs—sometimes up to 25 times longer!—and they use about 80% less energy. Not only will you save money on your energy bill, but you’ll also be doing your part to help the planet by reducing your energy consumption.
Lighting is a great starting point for making your home more eco-friendly. However, to explore more advanced options beyond LED lighting, consider incorporating renewable energy sources like solar power for your home. Solar panels can be an excellent investment to reduce your carbon footprint further while lowering your energy costs. By harnessing the sun’s power, you can generate clean, renewable electricity and contribute to a greener future. While this may require a bit more effort and investment upfront, it’s a long-term solution that benefits the environment and your wallet in the coming years.
Temperature
Tint Your Windows
Another way to make your home more sustainable is to tint your windows! This will help to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which means you won’t have to rely as much on your heating and cooling system.
Residential tinting will even help to reduce glare and protect your furniture from fading. It’s such an easy and inexpensive way to make your home more sustainable and comfortable—so why wouldn’t you tint your windows?
Water
Install Low-Flow Shower Heads
If you’re looking for an easy way to save water and energy, then install low-flow shower heads in your home. Low-flow shower heads use about 30% less water than traditional shower heads, which means you’ll save H2O while saving money on your bills.
Plus, low-flow shower heads are often just as powerful as traditional shower heads, so you won’t have to sacrifice any comfort. It’s a win-win!
Waste
Choose Green Waste Management
When it comes to waste management, the company you choose makes a big difference. Not only can a green waste management company make your life easier, but they will ensure your trash goes to the right place. Some will even send it to a specialized facility to be sorted so as little waste as possible is sent to the landfill!
Do your research to find a waste management company that shares your values and is committed to sustainable practices. It’s worth it for your peace of mind—and the planet’s.
Yard
Treat Your Lawn Professionally
If you have a lawn, then you know how much time, money, and energy it takes to keep it looking good. Between mowing, watering, and fertilizing, it takes a lot of work to maintain your neighborhood rank! Also, did you know that DIY lawn care can actually be bad for the environment?
It’s well worth it to hire a professional lawn care company to treat your lawn for you. Not only will they make your life easier, but they will also ensure your lawn is healthy and green—and do it in a way that is gentle on your surrounding ecosystem.
Finances
Pay Your Bills Online
One way to save yourself and the planet resources at the same time is to switch to paying your bills online. No more paper bills in the mail—or even worse, driving to pay them in person! It will also save you money on stamps, envelopes, and gas.
Paying your bills online is not only more convenient, but it’s also better for the environment. Eliminating the need for paper bills and envelopes will mean less waste for you and less deforestation for the planet. It’s a no-brainer!
Clothing
Hit the Thrift Store
If you’re looking for sustainable and stylish clothing, then your local thrift store is the perfect place to start. You can find gently used clothing that is of great quality and unique style at a super low cost.
Plus, by shopping at a thrift store, you are supporting sustainable practices. Second-hand clothing stores keep perfectly good clothes out of landfills and help to reduce the amount of resources used to produce new ones. So, it’s a great way to go green while staying stylish and saving money!
There you have it—7 easy eco-friendly home upgrades that will make your life easier and help you do your part to save the planet. See, sustainability doesn’t have to be difficult! By making a few simple changes, you can save money and energy while helping out the environment at the same time.
So, whether you’re a lazy nature lover or a busy professional with the planet at the bottom of your list, you can stay comfortable and start implementing these tips one at a time. While you’re at it, don’t forget to share them with your friends and family! After all, we all need to do our part to save the planet and make sustainability easy for everyone.
