It may seem that with advancements in technology and society, the world is becoming less eco-friendly. That statement isn’t completely true though. There are plenty of people who are still striving to preserve our natural resources and save our planet. With so many small things that can help keep our planet green, it’s becoming easier for all of us to start going green. Here are ten things that you can do to help make your home a green home:
Watch The Temperature
When you’re going to be leaving the house for a while, adjust your thermostat accordingly. Your house doesn’t need to have a controlled temperature when nobody is there, right? When the weather is cold, turn the thermostat down a few degrees. When it’s hot, crank it up a notch or two. Not only will this save you some big bucks on your power bill, you’ll also be doing your part to protect the environment.
Conserve Water
The little things add up when you’re doing your part to conserve water. Turn the sink off while you’re brushing your teeth, avoid taking baths, take quick showers, don’t over water the lawn, etc. By sweeping off your driveway instead of hosing it down, you can save up to 80 gallons of water. Make sure that you’re doing the right thing and contributing to water conservation in your area.
Use Less Paper
Everybody knows that you need trees in order to make paper. One of the best ways to use less paper is to remove yourself from junk mail lists. Think about how many envelopes and sheets of paper you get from junk mail every year. Also, instead of using paper bags at the grocery store, use plastic and recycle the bag. This is also good for cleaning. Instead of using a paper towel, you can use a cloth rag.
Use Hardwood
When you’re buying or constructing a home, avoid the use of hardwood. This is another way to save us from deforestation and the unnecessary use of trees. Instead, you can use bamboo. Bamboo grows and matures faster than hardwood too.
Turn Off The Lights
This one is really simple. When you’re not using the lights, turn them off. Open the windows during the day, and use necessary lighting at night. This saves you money and it saves our resources.
Cold Water
When you’re doing your laundry, don’t heat the water. Most washing machines spend most of their energy heating the water in order to wash your clothes. Use cold water and conserve energy.
Clothesline
Dryers can use a lot of energy. Instead of using so much energy, take a little more time and hang your clothes on a clothesline. They’ll do fine air drying, and you’ll get to spend a little more time outside.
A Faucet
You may have a leaky faucet or pipe somewhere in your home. It’s easy to put them on the back burner, but if you take care of it, you’ll be saving a lot of water.
Chargers
When we aren’t charging things, we often times keep the charger plugged in. That’s using energy, a lot of energy. Unplug items you are not using, then plug them back in, when you need to use them.
Collect Rainwater
If you’re collecting rainwater, you can use that water to take care of your lawn, and for other needs around the house. It saves you a bunch of money on your water bill, as well.
Taking care of your home in an eco-friendly manner is fun and it’s simple to do. There are also ways that you can have green security and automation systems for your home. With so many easy options to take care of the environment, invest some time and make the world a better place.
About Author: Lindsey Patterson, a freelance writer who specializes in technology and the latest social trends, specifically involving social media. She is currently a social media advisor to Vivint.