Whether you’re a proud greenie, interested in long-term environmental solutions, or simply want to make a dint in your electricity bill, there are plenty of reasons to make your home eco-friendly. Have a look through some of the suggestions below and see what might work best for your home.
1. Invest in Solar Power
Few things are as overwhelmingly positive for the environment and for your incoming bills as solar power. Installing solar power panels at home is a relatively simple procedure, and while it may cost a little bit to install, your next power bill will show you exactly why it’s worthwhile. Harnessing the sun’s energy means you may need to change up a few habits. Putting the dishwasher on in the morning instead of when you go to bed or having a shower in the morning instead of the evening ensures you aren’t wasting valuable solar energy. To find solar energy solutions to suit your home, speak with a solar energy company like Absolute Energy Solutions to see what is available.
2. Say Hello to the Sun
If you’re serious about making your home more eco-friendly, it’s time to think about your heating and cooling techniques. Avoid using cost-heavy, energy-burning air-conditioning systems by embracing the weather and working your home to fit in with it. In winter time, find the side of the house where the sun first hits, and make sure all the blinds and curtains are wide open so the sun can filter in and warm the house. When the sun moves away, close the curtains and doors to stop the heat from dissipating. At night-time, close up any unused rooms – you’d be amazed at how much heat can be trapped by doing so. In summertime, keep blinds and curtains drawn during the day to minimise the effects of the sun, and throw open all your windows from late afternoon to catch any breezes.
3. Be Water-Wise
Water is one of the big things most people overlook, but being water-wise is a really great way to become eco-friendly. This includes everything from saving water, recycling water, and being aware of where your water (along with any mixed-in chemicals) goes. The first big water-wise tip is to be smart with your usage. Wash your car over the lawn, keep a bucket in the shower with you and use the water that is caught for your garden, and invest in a hose nozzle that restricts water flow. Nozzles can be found here to help you save water in your own home. You can also invest in timers to keep your showers shorter – just doing this can save thousands of litres of water every year. When you use chemicals (in the shower, when washing your car, and in the kitchen), remember all of them will eventually make their way through the drainage system to the natural waterways – think about what you’re using, and whenever you can, choose your chemicals with the environment in mind.
These are just a few simple tips that can make a big difference to any household. Have you used any of these? If so, let everyone know what worked well for you – or share any other tips you have – in the comments below.
Great tips. Having just installed solar, I cannot tell you how great it feels. They have a cool monitoring program where you can look and see how much energy you are producing day to day – and how many emissions you are keeping out of the atmosphere.
That is terrific! Maybe someday this will be a typical home option that people will use even if they don’t consider themselves green.
Great tips, I think I can do better in the water department. I’d like to install rain barrels this summer, and I think we might do something about the tap in our bathrooms as the kids sometimes forget to turn it off when not in use as they get distracted being silly :)
I tried to talk my husband into putting solar panels on our home years ago. Excited that solar is becoming more accessible.
Because I live in an apartment, the best I can do here is to improve my use of water. Since I live in Southern California, I am already able to go without heating or air conditioning.
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Amazing tips!!