It’s hard to avoid the news of the effects of climate change causing havoc around the globe, from the extinction of animals to natural disasters, such as the recent floods in Australia.
You may be wondering, how can people help? Well, one way is by making their homes eco-friendlier.
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What Can I Do on a Day-to-Day Basis?
It may feel like being eco-friendly is such a big task that it’s impossible for you to ever get it “right,” and to be honest, that is the case.
Going green, however, isn’t something you can instantly do, and it takes some time. You don’t have to change everything immediately, and you can do it a little at a time.
There are dozens of things that you can do on a day-to-day basis to be eco-friendlier, but the key is to do them consistently over time.
Here are a few options to get you started.
Be A Conscious Energy Consumer
Energy is a big issue for all of us, but if everyone worked towards using less energy and used renewable energy sources instead, it would have a huge impact on the environment.
Being more conscious of your energy consumption means everything from turning off lights that aren’t in use right up to installing alternative energy options, like heat pumps.
You may ask, why opt for a heat pump? Heat pumps are far more efficient than other heating systems; they are more environmentally friendly, and they work in tandem with the heat produced by the sun.
They only use electricity to pump heat from a cold area to a warmer one. Heat pumps can be used in both homes and businesses. These systems can also be used in conjunction with solar panels, which further reduces energy costs.
Insulate Your Home
Insulating your home is an effective way to reduce your energy consumption.
Insulation helps keep this heat from escaping and makes your home more energy-efficient. There are a number of insulation materials available, including sheep’s wool, cellulose fiber, and glass wool.
It is also possible to insulate a building using “blanket-based” approaches such as air-cell, foam-glass, or aerogel insulation.
To know more about insulation, see this article.
Install Energy-Efficient Lighting and Appliances
Lighting has the ability to significantly reduce the amount of energy used in a home or business.
Energy-efficient lighting will not only save on electricity bills, but it can also help reduce your carbon footprint.
Most energy-efficient light bulbs use less energy than their conventional counterparts.
You can also help save money by switching to a more efficient dishwasher and refrigerator as well as a more efficient heating system.
Install a Solar System On Your Roof
By installing a solar system on your roof, you can reduce or even eliminate your electric bill in the summer!
This is because the sun’s energy can be used to both warm your hot water and generate electricity. If a solar power system is installed on your roof, the sun’s rays are captured as they pass through the panels.
Solar systems aren’t particularly recommended for homes that don’t get many hours of sunlight in their area.
To find out more about solar, see this article details how this works in more detail.
Use Earth-Friendly Cleaning Products
Many household cleaners contain harmful chemicals that can have a damaging effect on the environment.
By switching to alternative cleaning products, you will help reduce the number of harmful chemicals being released into the natural environment.
There are many brands of earth-friendly cleaners available, and they don’t cost all that much more than their conventional counterparts.
Turn Off the Light – When Possible
This simple bit of advice could save you a fortune.
When possible, switch off a light when it’s not being used. You can also avoid using unnecessary light during activities like reading or watching television.
One way to tell if you are using too much light is by looking at your electric bill – if you see an increase of more than 10% on your bill, it might be time to look for other ways to cut your electricity consumption.
Plant and Maintain a Vegetable Garden
Gardening can be a good way to help the environment in various ways, from providing food for yourself or someone else to assisting with erosion control.
It can also be a vital part of your food chain. Many plants act as insect repellents, catching and absorbing pesticides (some of which may end up in your food).