We’ve become intensely aware of the impact our actions have on the planet.
The good news is that you can make a difference in the crusade towards saving the planet while increasing the value of your home by making it more green.
Here are eight small changes that you can implement for an eco-friendlier home.
1. Look at the products you use.
We don’t think about the eco-impact of a product as we pick up another bottle of detergent or cleaning product. As soon as these products leave the bottle and enter the water supply, they have an impact on the planet.
Try opting for the eco-friendlier brands, naturally based products, or even make some of your own products.
Soda bicarbonate and lemon juice or vinegar is a great compound that can be used to scrub your spaces and clean off stains.
For personal hygiene, try natural oils, locally sourced skincare, organic toothpaste and rinses, and reusable ear swabs.
2. Switch to green plumbing.
Items like low-flow toilets and showers, polymer-based plumbing materials, and eco-friendly taps help reduce water wastage without breaking the bank.
3. Optimize your laundry situation.
Wash your clothes in cold water.
This not only relieves the energy needed to heat the water, but also saves your clothes some wear and tear and keeps colors vibrant.
Between 75 and 90% of the energy involved in doing a load of laundry goes into heating the water alone, so reducing this energy will help your bills and the earth.
Hang ‘em out to dry.
While you are saving money and energy from not using the dryer unit, you are also giving your laundry a break from the damage and roughness of a tumble in the heat. Line drying gives your clothes a fresh-and-breezy smell that dryer sheets can only hope to mimic.
4. Install energy-saving devices.
You can easily install a rainwater collection system outside your home. These bucket and spout systems collect and store the rainwater from the outside of your house, and allow you to use it later.
Also, turning your veggie waste into viable mulch by composting is an easy way to keep your kitchen scraps eco-friendly.
Possibly the most well-known way to keep your house eco-friendly is recycling. Putting in a simple, easy-to-use recycling system is crucial to reducing the amount of plastic pollution.
5. Plants, Plants, and More Plants
Decorate your space with plants! This is a great way to spruce up a room while cleaning your air. Keep them watered with reused water and you have all the sustainable décor you could want.
6. Solar Paneling
Avoid coal and natural gas-fueled energy by instead storing energy from the sun to power your home.
Solar panels don’t tend to fully replace energy providers, but they can go a long way.
It is a significant investment, though, with the potential need for a roof replacement before being able to add the panels. That being said, it may very well be an investment worth making. Properties that have solar power installed spend an average of 50% less time for sale and the addition of solar panels can increase the value of your home by up to $20,000.
7. Non-toxic Carpets
Protect your health with eco-friendly carpet options.
Besides being aesthetically pleasing to potential future home buyers, non-toxic carpets can also absorb more heat, lowering your energy bills.
8. Tankless Water Heaters
Traditionally, water heaters hold gallons of water in a state of constant heating. Modern tankless water heaters only heat water when you need it.
They work by running water over hot coils on its way to your pipes. Tankless water heater options can not only lower your bills, but can also free up valuable storage space.
There are so many options for going green and only so much you can do at one time. However, any green upgrades you can make will be kinder to the planet, kinder to your wallet, and make your property more valuable when it comes time to move on.
Photo by Sarah Chai from Pexels
