Applying some green fixes in your home will not only help the environment but will also prove to be very cost effective for your budget. If you truly care for green solutions that can assist the planet, transforming your home into energy-efficient place is not that difficult. Sure, you’d probably have to make some investments at first, but these will all be worth it in the long run.
Change your appliances
You don’t have to buy all new appliances at once – that wouldn’t be very wise considering your budget. But, gradually, you can replace your old appliances with star-rated ones. These are basically appliances that are made to be very energy-efficient. And by spending less energy on your daily needs, you will soon manage to see them paying themselves off while living a true sustainable life.
Switch the bulbs
LED and CFL lights use a lot less energy than your average bulbs. What’s more, they last a lot longer as well. Therefore, make sure to change all the bulbs in your home with LED/CFL ones. That way, you will be provided with sufficient brightness that’s pleasant for the eyes and be very economical when it comes to electricity.
Fix the holes
Regardless of the season, you’ll always find the need to use an air conditioner or heater. If there are gaps between windows and doors and walls, the warm/cool air may escape your home faster. This will only lead to you using more electricity. If you would like to be frugal and at the same time don’t want to waste precious energy, make sure to fill in all the gaps that don’t allow you to keep the ideal temperature in your home.
Plumbing plays a big role
You might not think that plumbing has anything to do with a green lifestyle but that is far from true. With adequate plumbing, you can make sure that water never gets too cold or hot, prevent freezing, reduce water waste with dual flush toilets, etc. Moreover, proper bathroom renovation will help you avoid blocked drains and collapsed sewer lines so that you don’t have to waste more money and energy on constant repairs.
Consider insulation
Apart from fixing possible gaps that can leak cool or hot air outside, proper wall, roof and window insulation is definitely a great way to minimize your energy consumption. There are various options when it comes to proper insulation, so make sure to do your research and opt for the solution that best suits your green needs.
Careful with water
Some bad habits such as leaving the tap open as you wash your hands or brush your teeth lead to an incredible waste of water per year. In that respect, don’t forget that turning the tap off will surely reduce the amount of water you use. The numbers on your bills will also be a definite proof. This trick won’t cost you anything, but you can do so much for the environment and your budget if you simply turn off the tap when you’re not using the water per se.
Reduce the flow
Even if you pay attention to fixing all the possible leaks and make sure to turn the tap off every time, there’s more you can do when it comes to sustainability. By installing special shower and faucet heads, the water flow will be automatically reduced. That way, you will additionally reduce water waste.
A green lifestyle means so much more than eating organic and buying second-hand clothes. Your home and daily habits are the biggest sources of energy consumption. Therefore, taking care of your energy-efficient and sustainable living environment will definitely be an important step towards a greener and healthier planet.