Turning Your House Green And Becoming An Eco-Warrior
Many of us would love to make our living arrangements more eco-friendly. But how are you supposed to do that, exactly?
Well, thanks to the march of sustainability and progress, that task is becoming easier by the day. Innovators are constantly developing new ideas and strategies to make our lives friendlier to the planet.
But what do they recommend we do, exactly? Let’s take a look.
Unplug Electronics
Top of the list is the practice of unplugging electronics when not in use. Allowing them to remain plugged into the wall runs the risk of them draining power (even if they look like they might be switched off).
If you’re unsure about the power drain in your home, take a look at your meter. See if it is ticking up even after you turn everything off. If it is, it suggests you have a hidden power drain in your home and it’s taking away energy from you.
Convert Your Lighting
If you haven’t done so already, it’s also a good idea to convert your lighting to LEDs, a technology with a far lower energy footprint than conventional candescent bulbs.
Most LED lights consume around 80 percent less than conventional counterparts. However, you can get some that use 90 percent less than their predecessors. These usually have the efficiency rating listed on the side of the packet.
Reduce Your Consumption
You can also make your home more eco-friendly by simply reducing your consumption. Cutting down on things you only use once or twice (like fast fashion) and avoiding buying furniture brand new (and upcycling or refurbishing instead) can reduce the CO2 and raw material extraction embodied in your home.
Add More Green To Your Building
You could also try adding plant walls to your building. These help it to capture CO2 from the environment and provide a habitat for local ecosystems. It also improves how the built landscape feels, especially if you’re a long way from a park or green open space.
Adding greenery to your home can also be a style choice. Some people just like the look of a green roof or wall, covered in plants ready to absorb the rain.
Fix Leaky Faucets
Another approach is to fix the leaky faucets in your home. Replacing worn washers can prevent small drips from costing you and the environment hundreds of dollars worth of wasted water every month.
Avoid Using Harsh Cleaning Chemicals
Avoiding using harsh cleaning chemicals also protects the environment. Staying away from mass-produced products and using home cleaning methods can help tremendously.
The safest cleaning options are baking soda and vinegar. These products don’t contain any nasties and are completely natural.
Bleaches are okay because they degrade naturally, but they can be harsh when items first come into contact with them.
Get Double-Glazing
Lastly, getting double glazing can help turn your house green. Two-layer windows can keep heat out or in, depending on the time of year, putting less strain on your HVAC system. Just remember to ensure you fill them with safe argon gas.
