With the effects of climate change already being felt, Americans are actively looking for ways to live more sustainably. Waste buildup, energy issues, and decreased access to clean water are becoming problems across the globe. Luckily, everyone can do their part to make a difference.
That starts by making changes in the home.
You might not think that one household can do much in terms of protecting the planet. However, if everyone adopted that mindset, no change would be made. You never know whom you could end up inspiring to live more sustainably by making your own eco-friendly choices and changes.
Around the home, there are plenty of simple, DIY fixes you can make to boost the eco-friendliness of your living space. Let’s cover a few of them so you can start making positive changes today.
1. Installing and Replacing Weatherstripping
When was the last time you changed the weatherstripping around your windows and doors? If you can’t remember, chances are it’s been a while. It’s time for that stripping to be replaced.
Alternatively, maybe you’ve never installed it at all. Either way, weatherstripping should be installed/reinstalled every two or three years. It reduces air leaks through doors and will improve the energy efficiency of your home. This will subsequently reduce your heating and air conditioning bills.
Don’t forget to weatherstrip every area of your house, including the garage. Weatherstripping your garage adds an extra layer of protection from extreme light, humid or cold air, and water.
2. Investing in a Smart Thermostat
Smart technology is taking over, and that’s a very good thing for those wanting to be more energy-efficient. If you’re not ready to completely upgrade your home with smart tech, start small by investing in a smart thermostat.
They don’t just look cool and futuristic. Smart thermostats provide many benefits, including:
Maintaining a comfortable temperature;
Receiving monthly energy reports;
Taking full control of your heating schedule;
Using less energy;
Remote controlling of heating and cooling.
Not only can you control the heat and air when you’re not home, turning it down to save energy, but you’ll also be able to take note of how much energy you’re using or wasting each month. This way, you can make changes as needed.
3. Putting Up Thick Curtains
Installing thick curtains is a simple DIY upgrade you can do in a few hours. It’s a small, simple, effective way to save energy. Plus, you’ll experience the added benefits of light and noise reduction.
Blackout curtains help to trap the heat in your home during cooler months while keeping light and heat out in the summer so things stay cool. They can reduce the thermal energy loss in your home by 25 percent. That’s good for the planet and your utility bills.
4. Installing Low-flow Showerheads and Faucets
Another quick, weekend project that can help to cut back on your water waste is the installation of low-flow faucets and showerheads. These low-flow items can reduce your water use by 30 to 50 percent, and they’re not much of an investment. You can pick them up at almost any major hardware retailer for only about $10.
You don’t need to be an experienced plumber to install low-flow faucets. It’s simply a matter of changing out your old ones. You’ll be surprised by how much water you can save each month without noticing much of a difference in what you’re actually using. Again, that will be reflected in your water bill and can inspire you to make even more eco-friendly choices.
5. Switching To LED
Most standard homes still use incandescent lighting from room to room. While this is okay, especially if you’re turning off lights when a room isn’t in use, they’re not as energy-efficient as LED bulbs.
By upgrading your lighting, you could seriously cut down on the energy consumption in your home. Some of the biggest benefits of LED lights include:
Their long lifespan;
Improved environmental performance;
Low voltage;
No heat emission.
Their long lifespan — about 50,000 hours — allows you to replace LED bulbs less often, reducing your waste production and helping landfills in the process.
Typical LED bulbs are slightly more expensive than their incandescent counterparts. However, when you consider the lifespan and the money you’ll be saving on your electric bill, they pay for themselves quickly.
6. Replacing Your Lawn With Native Plants
Somewhere along the line, the American dream started to include a lush, green lawn. While keeping your lawn well-watered and trimmed might look nice, it’s not the best thing you could be doing for the environment. Lawn maintenance uses a lot of water and often requires chemical treatments to keep things like weeds and pests away.
Instead, consider replacing your lawn with native plants. There are no rules when it comes to landscaping with native plants, so use them everywhere — in pots, on lattices, and even around your hedging to improve the privacy of your yard and home.
A quick search online will let you know which plants are native to your part of the country. Some of the benefits of planting them include:
Less water use;
No fertilization required;
Resistance to local weather and less likely to be damaged;
Natural habitat restoration.
Plus, a yard full of plants of different shapes, sizes, and colors will look completely unique and beautiful. You might find that your neighbors start asking you about your landscaping since you’re “going native” and not focusing on keeping a standard lawn.
As you can see, being more eco-friendly at home doesn’t have to be difficult. Many of these DIY upgrades can be done in a few hours or days. If you’re ready to start making positive changes at home, let these projects give you the jumpstart you need.
