Many people want to ‘go green’ in their home but they’re just not sure where to begin.
Each household is unique, so starting with small changes can be an enjoyable activity while lowering your family’s eco-footprint.
Here are some tips to get started.
1. Use Natural Cleaning Products
You may know that you should be using green cleaning products; however, you may be unsure of which products are truly environmentally friendly.
Don’t give up there, though. Because when you use harsh chemicals to clean, you are actually putting chemicals on the surfaces of your home, which pushes them into the water supply.
The solution is to study and choose the green cleaning products that meet your home’s needs and to check out natural products like vinegar.
Further Reading:
How to Clean Your Home Naturally Using Common Household Products
2. Install Solar Panels
Solar energy is a long-term investment in green living. Installing solar panels is no longer a complex process, and the cost has decreased as the equipment has become more commonly used.
In addition to reducing dependence on fossil fuels, like coal and oil, installing solar power may make you eligible for federal tax credits as well as state and utility company incentives.
Solar panels also can increase your home’s value when you sell it because buyers will see a return on investment through saving on their energy bills.
Further Reading:
A Beginner’s Guide to DIY Solar Energy Installation
3. Change Your Kitchen Habits
There are many ways to go green in the kitchen. For instance, when you’re cooking and need to check or remove something from the oven, make sure you open and close your oven door right away to prevent heat from spreading throughout the house.
Also, lower your plastic waste by using glass food storage containers and reusable water bottles. And when you go grocery shopping, be sure to use reusable bags instead of the disposable ones.
Want to go big with your green efforts? Purchase eco-friendly appliances like an energy-efficient refrigerator and an electric oven that doubles as a microwave and cooks four times as fast conventional ovens. If it is feasible for your home, you could even employ a solar cooker to make some of your meals.
Numerous options are out there — just visit your local home center and ask for their recommendations.
4. Get Professional Help
Need help? Speak with a professional sustainability consultant. Sustainability consultants visit your home, do a detailed walk-through of the house and your property, and advise on a customized strategy.
They will look at the structure of your home, your energy use, appliances, and the day-to-day activities of your family.
The result is a custom plan that will help you go green and lower your eco-footprint.
You can seek out a local company for a personalized home evaluation.
‘Going green’ may sound like a major change in lifestyle, but there are a variety of ways you can go green in your home without investing too much money or energy.Tell us how you’re going green in the comments!