29 Energy Saving Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home

If you’re a homeowner renovating a house or apartment, walk through every inch of your space with an eye toward what can be saved, preserved, and rehabilitated, rather than rolling full steam ahead with a gut renovation. Peeling away the layers of past renovations can reveal original features like exposed brick or millwork that can add character to the space with a little TLC. Refinish rather than replace old hardwood floors, or if they’re too banged up, consider painting them for a Scandinavian-inspired look. And for the more adventurous, a new generation of designers is creating home decor products using innovative eco-friendly materials, such as lamps that are grown to order using mycelium, the endlessly renewable root fibers of mushrooms. Choose low or no VOC paint from companies like Clare Paint, founded by interior designer Nicole Gibbons. Or consider a natural clay plaster wall finish from British company Clayworks that blends unfired clays mixed with minerals and natural pigments to create a sustainable wall paint alternative.

• The high-performing windows can reduce the amount of heat escaping by up to 50%.
• There are many types of composting bins out there that make this easy, tidy and odor-free.
• Instead of throwing the clothes out, parents should consider donating the clothes back to the school or to other parents who are in need.
• We can strive towards a sustainable future where both people and the planet flourish by adopting eco-friendly practices, promoting sustainability, and encouraging others to join the movement.

Invest in solar panels

The Extension Master Gardener program offers state-by-state resources that connect homeowners with local experts—including a hotline you can call to consult with volunteer gardeners who understand your https://ecosoberhouse.com/ climate best. Double-pane windows help keep cold air out in the winter and heat from the sun out in the summer. The high-performing windows can reduce the amount of heat escaping by up to 50%.

Consider lawn mowers that don’t use gas

Today, there are hundreds of such organizations throughout the United States. Arguably the most sustainable food you can eat is the food that’s grown in your own backyard (or on your balcony or windowsill). It doesn’t need to travel at all to get to you, which reduces its carbon footprint, and you won’t be using chemical-based pesticides—plus you’ll save money and eat more fruits and vegetables as a result. In addition to the choices you make around the house and the products you use, the food you eat can also help you live more sustainably. In general, sustainable foods are considered those that are harvested from the environment in a way that doesn’t hinder the environment’s ability to continue surviving and producing that food in the future. What’s more, sustainable foods are those that are grown, manufactured or produced by workers and/or animals that are treated fairly and ethically.

• My favorite is the Kleen Kanteen with the sport cap for everyday use and the foldable Vapur for travel.
• Try to avoid setting something down unless you are coming right back to it or you are placing it where it belongs in your home.
• Despite expensive upfront costs, biomass boiler running costs are less vulnerable to market spikes than gas/oil-fired counterparts.
• Green architecture is an eco-conscious approach to home building and design that aims to reduce the strain put on the environment.
• “Adopting a plant-based diet is by far the greatest action you can take to lower your carbon footprint,” she asserts.
• According to the energy company Constellation, drying your dishes by hand can cut your dishwasher’s energy use by up to 50 percent.

Loft Insulation

Buy a reusable bottle instead and you’ll be saving the environment with every sip. From your daily commute to the vacations you take with your family once a year, every time you start the car or get on an airplane there are environmental and social impacts. The first place you can make an effort to shop more sustainably is the clothes you buy. Sustainable clothing brands are those that prioritize fair labor practices and eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Buying from these brands, as opposed to fast fashion brands that produce cheap, trendy clothes in often unsustainable ways, sends a message that companies looking for customers should follow suit.

Keep your car for longer (or consider an electrical car)

There are also terms to note when looking for professionals to work with on green building projects. LEED recognizes energy-efficient building practices and projects that meet their energy-efficient standards. LEED is certified by the USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council), and there are multiple levels of certification. However, Homa notes that LEED is more prevalent in commercial design than residential design. There are many other green-related credentials you might encounter, including the National Association of Home Builders’ Certified Green Professional (CGP) certification.

• If you want your home to be truly environmentally-friendly, it is important to make sure that it is not only well-insulated, but with eco-friendly insulation.
• Using the car less can make a huge difference to the environment in the long run.
• As most emissions result from producing and preparing meat and dairy, consuming less meat would reduce GHG emissions.
• While some opt to drastically change their diets to a vegan one drastically, simply reducing your intake of meat can already have a big impact.

Modern designers can design beautiful new furniture made of old, recycled wood that is both eco-friendly and cost-effective. What’s more, they are made to look completely brand new, so you don’t have to settle for old-looking furniture. The amount of chemicals, fumes, and toxic ingredients used in home cleaners is shocking. However, you can choose to switch to green cleaning by opting for natural cleaning alternatives.

Add greenery inside your home

There are plenty of grass alternatives that are not only better for the environment and your health, but many need little to no maintenance. However, insulation has traditionally been made from hazardous, toxic materials which have a range of negative impacts on the environment. Plant a deciduous tree in front of south facing windows to provide shade in summer but let light through in winter. On the other hand, too many west-facing windows will provide more light and heat on sweltering summer afternoons and encourage you to use your air conditioning more. Similarly, roof overhang will block the sun in summer, keeping your home cooler for longer. If you cannot find recycled materials, try to go for those that are recyclable, to minimize their long-term impact on the environment.

When it comes to a new build, there are many things you can do to minimize the impact on the environment, from the construction to actually living in your new home. It’s crucial to do your research and get these decisions right in the planning stages, as many things can be expensive, not to mention wasteful, to change later. Conventional gas-powered lawn mowers pack a serious pollution punch, even as much as some late model cars. Replace these oldies with a push lawnmower or an electric cordless one for a larger area. You could also consider mowing your lawn a bit less and go for the wild look. After all, it’s more fun to walk barefoot and feel the long soft grass under our feet, a natural gift from Mother Earth.

This includes how homes are built and outfitted as well as how they function, from the architecture to the building materials and the appliances inside. These green building choices minimize negative impacts on the environment, create homes that work smarter and more efficiently, and make the most of natural and sustainable resources. With green architecture, How to make your home more environmentally friendly environmental considerations are just as integral as factors like cost or color. Learn more about the principles of green architecture, plus decorating and design ideas to consider for your own home. A further eco heating option is an air source heat pump, or a mini split system, which can be ideal if you’re converting your home from an oil heating system.