My favorite thing about green living is that it’s practical and saves money. Maintaining one’s home and other possessions is a prime example. Making sure your house is properly insulated and up-to-date not only saves you money on utilities, but also helps the environment. The goal should be to use less electricity and resources. How can we renovate our homes in such a way that it saves us money and also promotes an eco-friendly lifestyle? Here are some of my favorite tips:
- Get an energy assessment to address energy loss and areas in need of repair.
- Replace your windows or have them properly sealed to avoid temperature loss.
- Use natural light when possible and avoid unnecessary electricity usage.
- Plant trees strategically to help maintain a good temperature in hot and cold months.
- Buy energy efficient appliances and look for the Energy Star logo.
- Consider buying used and salvaged before buying new building materials.
- Insulate your attic and other places to maintain temperature.
- Salvage reusable materials after demo jobs like tile, wood, and cabinets, etc.
- Donate unwanted items instead of throwing them away.
- Maintain and care for your products to avoid having to replace them.
- Use low-VOC paints like Natura or other brands.
- Power your home with solar panels if possible.
- Build with recycled materials when suitable such as glass.
- Opt for formaldehyde-free cabinetry.
- Install a low-flow toilet and try to reduce water usage.
- Build with sustainable materials like bamboo.
- Use LED light bulbs and other eco-friendly products.
- Turn off the lights and electronics when not in use.
- Use a thermostat timer to avoid temperature fluctuations.
- Compost your food and plant native plants to attract pollinators
Green living doesn’t have to be hard. It can save you time, money, and resources. All it takes is a little planning!