7 Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

In the last couple of years, there has been a real push towards environmentally friendly technology and ways people can use less fuel. As a result, many people choose to make their homes more eco-friendly to not only save money on fuel costs but also to help create a sustainable environment. It is now possible to do a lot in your home! Here are a few ideas to get you started on a greener path, including conserving water and using solar panels.

Be Careful About Water

Many people think that being eco-friendly means saving energy and finding alternatives, but it also goes deeper than that. Saving water is a huge problem for many countries. So, the more water you can save, the better you and the planet will be moving forward.

Think about the water you use and possible ways to reduce the quantity. Here are a few examples:

• Don’t run the tap when brushing your teeth
• Only fill the bath with enough water to cover you
• Fit low-flow showerheads in all bathrooms

If you are in an older house, you might not have toilet tanks that have the water save button on them. This function allows only half the water to flush the toilet instead of the whole tank. If you don’t want to get a new flush system, you can place a bottle filled with water in the toilet tank for the same result. It’s another small way to make your home more eco-friendly.

Install a Smart Meter

It can be easy, especially in the winter months, to simply leave the heating on all the time. Although this is ok while you are home, it can be a terrible waste when the place is empty. One way to see how much energy you use is to install a smart meter. You can now get them for your electricity and your gas.

A smart meter can tell you how much money you spend and what times are the highest energy use. With this data, you can then work to lower your energy use and save money in the process. Some smart meters and thermostats are also compatible with smart home hubs and have their own mobile app. It means you can control your heating even when you are out of the home.

Energy Efficient Lighting

Energy-efficient bulbs have come a long way in recent years. Typically, if you wanted to save money, you used the large tube fluorescent lights, such as those in offices and grocery stores. Nowadays, there are now many smaller and more efficient bulbs than the traditional ones. CFT or Compact Fluorescent Tube bulbs are now small enough to fit traditional light fittings. CFTs also last a lot longer, saving you money.

Newer types on the market include LED lights. These are bright and instant, while still saving energy and lasting a long time. Now you are making your home more eco-friendly and also saving money. Also, many commercial properties are now converting to LED lights instead of fluorescent types.

Use Solar Panels

For those who want to be totally eco-friendly, invest in solar panels fitted to the roof of your property. Some people, depending on the amount of sun in the home, can even make more energy than needed. There are some countries that will buy this extra energy from you for national use.

It is best to do your research when considering a solar installation, so you know that the company you choose is reliable and trustworthy. A reputable company will fit the panels to your roof. Then you can harvest the energy you get during the day to run your electrical appliances. There are also other solar panels that heat water for you, so you don’t have to rely on the boiler. Other systems include underground water heating systems that use the warmth in the soil to heat the water in pipes under your garden.

Save Money with Insulation

The best way to save energy is not to waste it in the first place. That means ensuring that your home is fully insulated so no heat can escape. The most common insulation is in the attic. But you can also get treated insulation pulp that fills the gaps in your walls to improve insulation.

Another consideration is the windows. Older houses usually won’t be insulated. In this case, the second panes fit to the inside are an add-on to reduce heat loss. It is also important to check your house for any gaps in the windows, doors, or walls where heat can escape. You can fill them with expanding foam or repair them.

Recycling for Make Home More Eco-Friendly

By actively recycling as much as possible, you reduce the number of new plastics, paper, and other materials that need to be made from new. However, recycling isn’t only about packaging; it also relates to many other things. For example, recycling clothing can be very beneficial.

Send those clothes you no longer want to a recycling center, or donate them to a charity for reuse. You can do the same with almost anything. We recently donated my old computer desk to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Now I am making use of the desk that my hubby wasn’t using. Furniture and other household items needn’t be destroyed because you no longer want them.

Intelligent Shopping

There are many eco-friendly products on the market today. For example, you should consider buying sustainable homewares like bowls and coasters made from natural seagrass which have less of an environmental impact.

They are environmentally friendly because they are made with natural ingredients or are recycled. If you want to limit the about of toxins in the world getting into the soil and waterways, then shop for natural products.

Buying products made from recycled materials like toilet rolls also helps to reduce the amount of new paper needed. Plus, you’re supporting eco-friendly companies. Look for environmentally friendly beauty products. There are also many effective cleaning solutions that you can make yourself, using all-natural ingredients, which can be a great alternative if you can’t find eco-friendly products.

There are many ways to make your home more eco-friendly, from solar panels to recycling clothing. The more you can do, the better it will be for the overall environment, and you’ll save money too.