Going green at home can be super easy and fun! You may be surprised to learn that making small changes in your daily routine can have a big impact on the environment. Sounds daunting? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we will discuss 15 easy ways that you can go green at home and save money too!
Easy Ways to Go Green at Home:
1. Start by making small changes in your everyday routine
You can save money and help the environment by making small changes in your everyday routine. For example, take shorter showers, turn the water off while brushing your teeth, and recycle. You can also save energy by turning off lights when you leave a room.
Every little bit counts, and these small changes can add up to big savings!
2. Replace regular light bulbs with LED lights
One simple way to save energy and money is to replace your regular light bulbs with LED lights. The most energy-efficient and rapidly-growing lighting technology today is the light-emitting diode (LED) in a wide range of applications. LED light bulbs last longer, are more durable, and produce comparable or improved light quality than other forms of lighting. Not only will you save money on your energy expenses, but you’ll also save money over time because of the durability of LED lights.
Plus, LED lights are available in a variety of colors and styles, so you can find the perfect ones to match your home décor.
3. Use less water when showering
Another way to save water is to install low-flow showerheads and toilets. Low-flow showerheads use less water, so you’ll save money on your water bill. This can be a great way to save money and help the environment at the same time!
If you’re not ready to install low-flow showerheads, as we mentioned earlier, you may still decrease your water usage by showering for shorter periods.
4. Hang clothes to dry instead of using the dryer
Hanging clothes to dry is a great way to save energy and money. It’s eco-friendly because it doesn’t use any electricity, and it’s also gentle on your clothes. This will keep the bright colors in your wardrobe for longer and save you money on your energy bill.
To get started, invest in a clothesline or drying rack. These can be found at most home improvement stores, and they’re relatively inexpensive.
Once you have your clothesline or drying rack set up, simply hang your wet clothes on it to dry! See, told you we had easy ways of making a home more “green”!
5. Recycle
Recycling is one of the easiest ways to go green at home. It’s easy to do, and it’s a great way to reduce your environmental impact.
In most cases, all you need to do is put your recyclables in a separate bin from your regular trash. Then, when it’s time to take the trash out, simply put the recyclables in the recycling bin instead.
It’s that easy!
6. Plant trees and gardens to create oxygen and reduce energy consumption
Trees and gardens are great for the environment because they produce oxygen and help to reduce energy consumption. Placing trees and gardens in strategic locations can also help to cool your home, which can save you money on your energy bill.
If you’re not sure where to start, consider planting a tree in your front yard. This will provide shade for your home and help to cool it during the hot summer months.
You can also plant a garden in your backyard. Not only will this provide you with fresh fruits and vegetables, but it will also help to beautify your home.
7. Use solar panel cellphone chargers
Solar panel cellphone chargers are a great way to reduce your energy consumption. Solar panel cellphone chargers are available at most electronics stores, and they are relatively inexpensive. Although you are dependent on the weather, they need very little sun to work and can be a great green option for charging your cellphone.
When you’re not using your solar panel cellphone charger, remember to unplug your phone from the wall. Solar panel cellphone chargers are environmentally beneficial and will save you money on your energy bill in the long run.
8. Start using smart ways of green decorating
Have you ever heard of VOCs aka volatile organic compounds? Volatile organic compounds are chemicals that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility. This means that they can easily turn into a gas. Many VOCs are human-made, and they are used in the making of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants.
Paint contains VOCs that are released during the drying process and can remain toxic for days or even months after application because of their carcinogenic properties. Most brands now offer low-VOC paints for indoor projects. However, they may still include noxious chemicals such as formaldehyde and/or ethylene glycol, which are all major sources of indoor air pollution.
What are your options if you want to start using environmentally friendly decorating? Many eco paints are VOC-free, breathable, and suitable for rooms like kitchens and bathrooms since they are designed to help minimize condensation, mold, and mildew.
Switching to environmentally friendly paint might also help allergy or asthma sufferers feel better. A great option would be to use clay paint. It is made from all-natural ingredients and does not contain VOCs. Another one would be to use milk paint, which is created using casein from milk and lime. It is a zero VOC paint, breathable, and has anti-mildew properties.
9. The television
Did you know that the larger the television you have, the more electricity it uses? Choosing a smaller screen will save you money and energy. If you’re in the market for a new television, consider an LCD or LED model. These televisions use less energy than plasma TVs and are available in a variety of sizes.
Also, don’t forget to turn it off when you leave the room and don’t leave it on standby, as it’s still drawing power.
10. Wash laundry in cold water whenever possible
Washing your clothes in cold water can save you money and energy. In fact, about 90% of the energy used to wash clothes is for heating the water. If you have a front-loading washing machine, you can save even more energy because they use less water.
When you do need to wash your clothes in hot water, try to wait until you have a full load. This will help to maximize the efficiency of your washing machine and save you money on your energy bill.
11. Unplug electronics when they're not in use to save energy
Did you know that when connected to an outlet, many different types of electronic equipment and appliances, such as televisions, toasters, lights, and more, can still consume electricity after being switched off? This is because they’re still plugged into the outlet. To save energy, unplug electronics when they’re not in use. If you have several electronics plugged into one outlet, you can use a power strip and turn it off when everything is not in use.
12. Cooking environmentally conscious
Keep the lids on saucepans to speed up cooking, put frozen meals in the fridge overnight instead of defrosting them in a microwave, fill only the amount of water required in a kettle or pan, and avoid using the oven to cook just one meal.
13. Use a reusable water bottle or travel mug
Making use of a reusable water bottle or travel mug, you can help reduce the amount of plastic that is sent to landfill. Instead of buying store-bought plastic water bottles each time, fill up your 25-liter containers with filtered water at your nearest “Water shop” or retail outlet, and simply refill your reusable water bottles at home when needed. This can save you a lot of money in the long run.
When it comes to hot beverages i.e. tea, coffee, soup, etc it is estimated that over 500 billion disposable cups are used each year. Just FYI, these aren’t beautifully crafted eco-friendly cups. These are made of polystyrene (plastic foam) and Styrofoam. Although it is difficult to resist the allure of fresh, delicious coffee, Americans still discard around 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups every year. Not so “fresh” for the environment, hey?
By using a reusable water bottle or eco-friendly travel mug, you’ll avoid contributing to these horrific numbers.
14. Bring your own bags when shopping
How can such a simple item cause so much havoc? We’ve grown accustomed to using plastic bags for everything that we haven’t given much thought to… but you should begin paying attention to how you use plastic bags and look for something else to carry your items, because our environment can NOT handle any more of it.
Here are some fascinating facts about plastic bags that you may not have known:
- As many as 160,000 plastic bags are used worldwide, every second!
- 5 trillion plastic bags are produced each year. If you tie them together side by side, they can encircle the entire planet 7 times.
- Plastic makes up the majority of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is a floating landfill of garbage with an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometers. That’s twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France.
Go green—when buying all those deliciously fresh groceries for your home—from regenerative farmers of course—make absolutely sure to take your own eco-friendly shopping bags.
15. Get a Smart Meter for your home
You can see how much energy you consume and exactly how much it costs on your meter. The numbers on the meter make you think about any energy you are wasting, encouraging you to implement worthwhile changes where you can.
In Conclusion
You don’t have to be a green expert to save money and help the environment. By making some small changes in your daily routine, you can make a big difference. Give some of these tips a try and see how easy it is to go green at home!
What other tips do you have for living a green lifestyle at home? Share them with us in the comments below!
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