More and more people are realizing the situation we’re all in when it comes to our environment. That’s why the eco-friendly movement is getting more powerful every day! But, being eco-friendly not only helps our planet recover—it can also increase the comfort of your home and the amount of money in your wallet. So, if you want to be more sustainable, it’s best to start from your humble abode.
Invest in energy-efficient lighting
Energy-efficient lighting is nothing new on the eco-friendliness scene, but just recently the general public started accepting them and welcoming them to their homes. Thanks to their effectiveness and money-saving benefits, more and more people are switching to this sort of lighting. Technology is also moving forward and now energy-efficient lighting provides users with pleasant and efficient light that looks and feels good. While these lights might cost a bit more at the store, they have a much longer lifespan than old-fashioned bulbs and you won’t have to replace them anywhere near as often. If you’re planning for the long run, these are definitely a great step towards an eco-friendly and cost-effective home.
Buy recycled or used furniture
Avoiding big brand furniture stores is one of the best things you can do for the environment. Oftentimes they sell subpar furniture that adds to deforestation and releases all sorts of gases into your home. Luckily, if you dig a bit deeper, you can find things made from recycled wood, reclaimed wood and many other materials that leave a much smaller carbon footprint. These pieces are still new, but they will leave smaller damage to our planet.
You can also check out websites that do auctions and buy used furniture. These items often have many more years of use in them and can provide your family with amazing memories. Being mindful with your purchases will show you that these pieces have as much beauty and value as something new and luxury. Plus, they are often cheaper and searching for them is much more fun and exciting than trudging through boring department stores.
Save electricity with energy-saving appliances
If your old appliances don’t serve you anymore, it’s time for a change. Luckily, today you can find appliances that are not only equipped with all sorts of new and useful functions and have a great modern design but also help lower your energy consumption. Australians are really embracing this trend and the sales of various energy-efficient appliances are skyrocketing. And, don’t worry about performance, because these appliances do everything your old could (and more) while requiring less electricity or water. So, if this sounds attractive to you, make sure to check out your local store and grab one of these for your home. In order to make the best use of your new items, make sure to contact pros for installation. For instance, an experienced electrician in Sydney can handle everything from stoves and ovens to rangehoods. Pros always know best installation tricks and can advise you with your purchases.
Save water with low-flow fixtures
While we all know that taking a shower is better than taking a bath (it saves energy and water), there are still ways you can be more economical with water. If you love long showers to contemplate life and hold private concerts, make sure to switch to low-flow or aerated showerheads. These provide you with all the power and satisfaction of a regular shower while saving energy and water.
Try composting
All of us who love gardening and growing our own food can do even more for the planet by composting our waste. For instance, any food waste and scraps from the kitchen can be turned into useful compost perfect for gardening. Just grab cheap composting bins from any home center, place them somewhere convenient and voila! You’ll always have fresh and tasty veggies and fruit thanks to compost.
Boost insulation
If you’re up to conducting some more serious works on your home, the most eco-friendly thing you can do is boost your insulation. Good insulation will ensure your home is cool in the summer and warm in the winter and allow you to keep your thermostat lower. Plus, eliminating these cracks in insulation will make your home draught-free and much more comfortable. Start with insulating exterior walls of your house and your roof for best results.
Install solar panels
If you’re looking to be eco-friendly and sustainable to the max, put solar panels on your roof! These are cheaper, more available and more effective than ever, so now is the perfect time to invest and free yourself from the grid. Depending on where you live (Australians are lucky to get plenty of sun all year round) you can produce enough energy to supply your entire house or parts of it. Plus, these look very stylish on your roof!
Being eco-friendly is not a trend, it’s a lifestyle, but it doesn’t require that many changes when it comes to your habits. As long as you make a few changes in your home, you’ll definitely have our Mother Earth.