With climate change becoming an increasing issue year after year, it’s important to consider even the little things that a person can do to be more environmentally conscious.
One of the places you can make a difference is in your own home. Here is a list of some ideas you can use to improve not only your environmental impact but also your home’s cost-efficiency.
Update Your Windows and/or Doors
Old or worn down windows and doors can have broken or cracked frames, or may not have been properly installed or insulated. When this happens they can let in or leak out air.
Leaky home windows can be incredibly detrimental when trying to heat or cool your home. For instance, during the summer if you are trying to cool your home with air conditioning leaks can let hot air into your home and cold air out of it, making your AC unit have to work harder to keep things cool.
Upgrading to energy efficient eco friendly windows is a great way to improve the energy-efficiency of your home, and consequently lower its environmental impact. You’ll save yourself money and do your part to prevent the negative impacts of energy consumption.
Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
You’ve probably heard this before but energy-efficient light bulbs, like compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), are a great way to use less energy and save money. An ENERGY STAR-qualified CFL uses about 70% less energy than your standard incandescent bulb.
Traditional incandescent bulbs use a ton of energy to produce light and 90% of that energy is given off as heat. Because of this incandescent bulbs are no longer being manufactured or used and energy-efficient alternatives are becoming more readily available.
The up-front cost of replacing your light bulbs might be dissuading, but the savings in the long-run will be well worth it.
Reduce Water Consumption
With so much focus on energy saving techniques, excess water consumption and its consequences often get overlooked. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that because the earth is filled with water that we don’t really need to preserve it in any way.
This couldn’t be farther from the truth – the majority of earth’s water is actually salt water, and fresh, clean, and accessible water is actually pretty difficult to come by. This means that drinking water is limited and steps should be made to preserve water for the benefit of everyone.
Some ways to conserve water include:
- Turn off the tap between brushing your teeth and washing your hands
- If you’re really keen, consider turning off the water in your shower when you’re soaping up and back on when you’re ready to wash it off – also consider taking shorter showers
- Check your pipes and sewage lines for leaks
- Install low-flow toilets and efficient shower heads
- When you want to clean your car, go to a car wash where they recycle water
Everyone is Responsible
It might not feel like you can make a difference, but positive changes to your home like window and door replacement can actually go a long way – especially if everyone is doing it.