Scientists continue to warn us about the bad things - from climate change and global warming to the effects on human health and economic impacts - that will happen if we fail to look after our environment.
Honestly, the predictions are scary at the very least, but the great thing is you have a chance to do something about it. First, hats off for opting to become an environmentally conscious homeowner.
In under 7 minutes, I’ll show you several ways to make environmentally friendly changes to your home that will contribute towards saving the earth and everyone on it while giving you peace of mind, among other benefits.
Manage Heat Loss
Most homes tend to lose huge amounts of heat that is generated in their central heating units, mostly due to lack of proper insulation and poor construction.
You may not know this but that lost heat is the reason behind the increased carbon footprint. Your air conditioning units could also be releasing chemicals that affect the environment negatively.
The great news is you can change that by improving the insulation in your home which will, in turn, reduce heat loss. To begin with, identify areas in your home where heat loss seems to be high. Common places include walls, windows and doors, basement and floors, chimneys, and curtains.
Next, seek professional help in making eco-friendly changes to these areas so as you may end up with a home that has lower impact on the environment.
Evaluate Your Wood Furniture
Whenever you have to get new furniture for your home, keep the environment in mind. The great thing is that today there are a couple of options that perfectly live up to being eco-friendly.
Ever heard about reclaimed wood? Just as the name suggests, these are woods from previous constructions that have been reworked to be just as great as never-used-before wood. Unlike the later, they only require a few stains and paints, plus it is one way to preserve natural resources.
The other option is opting for vintage furniture pieces that are durable and well made. These are better than the affordable table or chair that could break in a year and end up as waste or abandoned on the street.
Salvaged wood is also another eco-friendly option. These are woods that have never been used for and are mostly found well-preserved in rivers and lakes. There are some stores that sell such.
Replace Those Old Appliances
Some appliances in your home, like your washing machine/dryer, oven, dishwasher, or refrigerator, particularly the old types, could be more harmful to the environment and your pocket than you could imagine.
Think about those huge water and electricity bills you’ve been paying lately. How about the carbon footprint, given that your appliance is not energy-star rated?
As much as it could be doing its job well beyond your expectations, the benefits that accompany swapping them for energy-friendlier options are priceless.
Remember not to just trash them. It would actually be better if you donated them to a recycling center or updated them (if possible) to a version that’s energy-friendly.
Of course, you’ll be making your home friendly to the environment. But beyond that, you’ll also be making huge energy and financial savings.
Go Greener
A quick and great trick to clean the air, reduce utility bills, reduce landfill waste, and preserve our natural landscape is to go greener. Put simply, that means pursuing practices that are friendly to the natural environment.
There are a dozen ways you can do that. The more common ones you can try in your home include planting a tree, having a backyard garden, setting up a homemade compost bin, and collecting rainwater.
Consider getting a house plant as well, like the bromeliad. Besides helping to absorb dangerous volatile organic compounds, they would look good in your house.
Conclusion
Admittedly, there are hundreds of other ways you could make your home eco-friendly and the few I’ve mentioned will definitely give you a great head start into making your place kind to the environment.
Another easy option is to get yourself an eco-friendly home. As a real estate agent in Northern Virginia, I’ve seen dozens of such homes that are affordable yet up to modern standards. You can talk to an agent to find out more about your area.
Whichever way you opt for, you’ll be making a great decision that’s part of the effort to make earth better for the upcoming generations.
Guest post by Darren Robertson
About the Author
Darren Robertson is a top-producing licensed REALTOR® in Northern Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. Valuing service over sales, Darren is known by his clients for both his extensive local market knowledge, as well his patience and reliability as he helps them on their home buying and home selling journey. Darren is a tech-forward agent who places a heavy emphasis on internet marketing and blogging in his business.
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