How To Make an Environmentally-Friendly Home

Whether you’re looking for health benefits, cutting energy costs, or reducing your carbon footprint, there are several ways to make your home more eco-friendly. From high end solutions such as solar panel installation, to easy fixes like light bulb swaps or recycling, here’s 4 tips to help your home:

1. Cleaning products:

If you’ve been doing any research into “greener” cleaning products, you probably already know that bleach and harsh chemicals are a no-no. Fortunately, many product lines exist without these ingredients, using plant-based materials or forgoing dyes and artificial fragrances. Also consider what you use to clean with as much as the cleaning product itself. Washable rags, pumice stones and other similar materials greatly reduce waste compared to paper towels or other disposable cloths.

2. Materials:

The materials that you choose for your home can also have an environmental impact. Bamboo flooring, for example, is a better choice than other woods because of its ability to re-grow quickly. Insulated window treatments can help cut down on energy costs by helping to keep the heat in or out depending on the season.

3. Appliances:

When you’re in the market for new appliances, whether replacing old ones or buying for the first time, most products are Energy Star certified. Not only do these machines cut down on the electricity, gas or water that they use, but many times you can get a rebate from your utility company for an environmentally friendly purchase!

4. Cutting Energy Use:

By taking advantage of windows with natural light, you’ll automatically reduce your electricity costs. You can take that a step further with solar panels or other high-end energy savers, but there are also some easy replacements that help cut down on costs. Replace old light bulbs with energy efficient ones, unplug electronics when not in use, and consider lowering your thermostat by even one degree. On average, this can save around 15% on energy bills annually.