Many of us have come to the realization that living a life of excess is not going to make life better, and in some cases can make life much worse. Living a modest “green life” has become a way of life for many people and if it could I’m sure our planet would thank us for it.
Recycling plastic bags and aluminum cans is a great way to teach kids how to start living a green life, but what about our homes? Ensuring that household cleaners are made with natural ingredients will cut down on airborne toxins inside your house. Changing light bulbs to more energy-efficient bulbs that will last longer and ensuring the old bulbs are recycled is another easy green idea.
1. Does your home need a blanket? - Proper insulation in the home is one of the most effective ways to ensure your home is energy efficient. Heating and cooling costs are usually the highest monthly utility bills that a house will incur, so keeping air vents properly insulated and doorways properly sealed will keep the cold air in and the hot air out. If the garage is attached to the house, installing insulation in the garage will also help to keep energy costs down. Another way to save on energy costs is to install a programmable thermostat, which can regulate the temperature of the home while you are away.
2. I wish that it would rain - For those who have gardens to water consider rain buckets placed around the property that can catch rainwater. Or go one better and plant items that are native to the area, which will require less water than non-native species. Water conservation is a concern in many countries and installing water-efficient fixtures and appliances will help to conserve water and maintain our natural resources. Appliances such as washers, dishwashers, tankless water heaters, and toilets are now made with water conservation in mind. Just changing a toilet to the newer, more water-efficient toilets can save billions of gallons of water.
3. Home Sweet Home - For a home remodel or when building a new home consider purchasing countertops, flooring, and fixtures that are recycled. Many wonderful fixtures can be found at salvage yards that specialize in recycling these items from older buildings that have been torn down. Items that are not used during the construction such as wood, metals, and asphalt, or concrete can be recycled into other building projects. There are many non-profit organizations that will accept these items for donation.
4. Up on the roof - If you walk outside and take a look at the rooftops surrounding your neighborhood, chances are it will be a sea of dark-colored shingles. In areas where the sun is shining brightly all day long those dark, low-reflective rooftops will cause the heat in the attic of a home to rise which in turn will cause the cooling system to work harder. Installing lighter-colored tiles will help to alleviate this, as would the installation of solar panels. If you live in a place where the sun is plentiful, solar panels can help to cut an energy bill down to practically nothing. My father-in-law has solar panels on his home in Arizona and pays literally nothing for his electricity.
5. Walking on sunshine – One way to conserve energy and lower your monthly bill is to use natural sunlight as opposed to electric lighting. Adding sheer drapes to windows will allow for privacy during the day while still letting the sunshine in. Painting the walls of a home in a lighter shade will reflect the natural sunlight which will make a room appear lighter and larger. Skylights are another great way to allow more light into a room.
Many utility companies offer special discounts to those who utilize solar and wind energy. We can utilize reusable bags for our groceries and reusable bottles for our beverages. Today living a green life is easier than ever!
Comments