I am constantly on the lookout for simple ways to make our home more environmentally friendly.  I love how so many of the little things I do to help the environment also save me money.

So I was happy to see this post, brought to me by a guest writer, with a few tips for making our homes more sustainable.

The following is a contributed post.  For more on my contributed posts, please see this page.

5 Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home

Global interest in green living has been steadily increasing.  Across the United States, building companies with LEED certifications skyrocketed from 296 to a whopping 67,200 between 2006 to 2018. This just goes to show how popular sustainability is becoming.

Are you wondering how you can save energy and make your space eco-friendly? Here are a few practical ways to do so.

Replace old doors and windows with quality ones

Products are becoming more developed as technology advances. Doors and windows are primarily installed to ensure safety and security for occupants of the home. They also contribute to your home’s energy conservation. However, they can significantly affect your energy conservation due to aging or poor installation. Whatever the cause is, energy experts recommend reinforcing your doors and windows when you detect cracks, gaps, and other openings that aren’t supposed to be there. 

If you’re remodeling your home or building one, consider using durable replacement products such as those listed in the Roseville Window and patio door collection. These energy-efficient windows are designed to provide maximum protection for your home. And, they make excellent replacement window options for your property.

Use energy-efficient light bulbs

As more people are grasping the science behind energy-efficient light bulbs, their sales have significantly increased. In 2009, 58% of US households jumped onto the energy-efficient light bulb bandwagon, with the number increasing to 86% of households by April 2016. As of 2020, more than 88% of American homes use these light bulbs as individual measures taken to conserve energy. LED light bulbs tend to consume less energy than incandescent ones. With the former’s efficiency rate ranging from 50% to 80%, users can save up to $300 on electric bills annually.

Use solar panels if you can

Over the years, people have come to understand the benefits of solar panels in the home. Unlike having to tap power from a grid, solar panels allow you to convert the sun’s energy into power. They’re safe, sustainable, and reliable (as long as the sun shines and you have enough solar storage). Using solar panels is a long-term commitment that requires a substantial investment for the initial installation.

Fortunately, though, because more people are coming on board, initial installations are not as pricey as they were a decade ago. According to Solar.com, initial installation costs have dropped a whopping 61% since 2010. Moreover, as of January 2021, it costs $2.81/watt to use solar power in an average-size home.  

Use green products

The green movement has become so popular that common household detergents have joined the mix as well. If you’re using chemical cleaning detergents, consider switching to environmentally friendlier options. For example, did you know that vinegar, lime juice, and bicarbonate soda are natural agents that do an excellent cleaning job? Apart from leaving your surfaces spotless, they contain naturally occurring chemicals that kill microorganisms.

Chemical detergents go down your pipelines and end up at water treatment plants. When this happens, the authorized state department has no choice but to spend more to get the water at safe pH levels. So, you’ll be doing not just your home but your community a favor when you switch to environmentally friendly cleaning options. 

Turn your food waste into compost

Rather than buying compost from the local store, you have the opportunity to do it yourself. You only need to make good use of food waste and kitchen scraps. There are rules and regulations to follow when dealing with homemade compost. Fortunately, you can read more about it from online sources available on the internet. For safety, gather information only from credible websites. Better yet, stick to agricultural-based websites or your state’s local department on natural resources or environmental management.

You can use homemade compost to enrich soil nutrients in your garden. If you don’t keep a garden, you may want to consider giving your compost out to others who do. 

Whether we can see it or not, the things we do in our homes every day have an impact on the environment.  Making the switch when we can to sustainable products and practices is a good way to help Mother Nature.

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