Greenhouse gas emissions in the US came to over 6,000 million tons in 2018. Though households are only a small part of this, you can still do your bit to create an eco-friendly home - it doesn't take much effort to do so!
Why not follow our five simple tips for changes you can make for a more environmentally friendly living space? Keep reading below to find out what they are.
1. Install Solar Panels
Make no mistake, solar panel installation is one of the best things to make your home more eco-friendly.
Solar power is clean and efficient, making your home a lot more sustainable. Solar panels don't need water to create energy, and they don't release any harmful gases into the atmosphere.
We won't run out of solar power until the sun runs out of energy in about five billion years' time, so there's plenty to go round!
2. Buy Energy Star products
While you most likely won't be replacing all of your appliances at once, it makes sense to go for energy-efficient models as and when you do replace them.
Products with an Energy Star rating have met guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of energy, so you know that they're going to be energy-efficient options.
As these products use less energy, they can work out to be more cost-effective for you in the long-run too, so why not look into buying them?
3. Consider Eco-Friendly Landscaping
Landscaping is something that can get overlooked in the rush to install solar panels and change products, but its importance shouldn't be understated.
Can you make changes to irrigation to conserve water? Instead of wasting water with sprinkler systems, use rain barrels or a drip system. As long as you get a little rain, you don't even need to water your lawn as it won't need much water to survive.
You can also reduce runoff by growing various plants, and building on uncleared land. By doing so, you'll reduce the risk of substances like pesticides
4. Upgrade Insulation
If you're thinking about going green, upgrading your insulation is something that's definitely worth considering.
Losing heat through windows, walls, doors, and ducts will lead you to use more energy, which is not only damaging for the planet but for your bank account too.
While a thorough upgrade is ideal, there are measures to take if this isn't feasible right now. You could use thermal shades, for example, or even a draft guard on outside doors.
5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
It sounds obvious, but you can't ignore the basics.
Try your best to cut down on single-use plastics, and re-use products when you can. Going 100% plastic-free might not be possible, but every little bit helps.
On that note, donate any unwanted items instead of throwing them away, and consider buying second-hand things for your home yourself - it all leads to less in the landfill.
Creating Your Eco-Friendly Home
To get on the road to making your place an eco-friendly home, our five changes provide a great starting point. However, there's a lot more that you can do to make your home environmentally friendly - why not get started?
If you're after more home advice, make sure to check out the rest of our posts.
