5 Tips for Creating and Maintaining an Eco-Friendly House

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If you want to reduce your energy needs and overall footprint, you can convert your house to become more eco-friendly, and there are many things you can do to help get the process started. Consider making these changes to help you save energy costs and simultaneously help save the planet. 

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats are an excellent solution for keeping your home comfortable while crushing energy costs. You can set the thermostat to run less heating or cooling while you’re away and only provide heat and cooling while you’re home. 

By using these settings, you can have your home the ideal temperature before you arrive and then keep it set to energy-efficient temperatures the rest of the time. Adding a smart thermostat in your home can help you save up to 15% on your HVAC costs, which add up to significant savings after one year.

Purchase Energy-Efficient Appliances

Today’s appliances use much less energy than their older counterparts. To ensure you get efficient options, look for the Energy Star label on each appliance you purchase. 

Most major home appliances have the Energy Star designation, but make sure you check before purchasing. This designation means that the EPA has deemed the appliance to use low energy or water. Not only are you purchasing a more eco-friendly option, but you can save up to 50% on your energy and water costs to run the appliances.

Purchase Eco-Friendly Furnishings 

If you need to replace your old furniture, there are ways to ensure you purchase eco-friendly options. Before you choose to buy new, consider purchasing second-hand and look for natural material. Today’s manufacturers know there is demand for keeping up with the eco-friendly push, so they offer options made from natural, sustainable sources.

You can also invest in products that offer maximum durability and comfort, so you don’t need to replace them as frequently. A great example is your office chair. Cheap office chairs break quickly, hurt your back, and don’t provide the lasting comfort you need to work through the day. Consider checking SitWorkPlay for the best ergonomic chairs to ensure you can sit comfortably while you work without having to ditch your old chair after a year. 

There are also eco-friendly mattress options on the market today that use only sustainable, natural products instead of older traditional materials. 

Use Water-Efficient Home Products

There are shower heads on the market today that dramatically decrease the water usage in a home. They are also cost-effective and offer multiple settings, so you don’t need to sacrifice your shower experience for the sake of efficiency. Don’t forget you can also reduce your shower times to make your water conservation efforts even more effective. 

Additionally, you can buy energy-efficient water heaters or on-demand water heaters for reduced use without giving up convenience. As mentioned earlier, you can also buy Energy Star washing machines to get the best bang for your buck when doing your laundry. 

Buy A Water Filter

Instead of using bottled water, get an RO Water Purifier. You have the option to buy a whole house filter, and under the sink reverse osmosis model or even a faucet-mounted option. You can reduce waste and help prevent plastic contamination in the environment. Purchasing a whole-house water filter may be cheaper than you think too. Some only cost about $100 and use replaceable filters that run only about $10 each. 

If you choose to get an under-the-sink mounted water filter, you can get them installed by a plumber, and they run anywhere from $200 up. The easiest and most cost-effective solution is the faucet-mounted water filter. You can install them yourself for about $30, and they are sold at most major retailers.

They have replaceable cartridges that last on average from one to three months, depending on your household’s water usage. You simply switch them on and off when you need filtered water. Plus, they come in different colors and styles to match your home’s decor. The initial investment in a water filter may seem expensive at first, but you come out ahead when you add up the cost of bottled water and the effort spent buying it. 

Eco-Easy!

Consider these household alternatives to lower your carbon footprint and save the environment while saving money and effort. You can start small and work your way up over time, for example you can easily switch from plastic bottled soaps to bars of soap.

When each person takes the time to change their habits and consider our planet, we can make significant changes over time. Not only will making these changes give you a sense of satisfaction, but you’ll also help your household become more efficient at saving resources and money. Remember to research other simple ways to conserve resources and prevent pollution because it’s easier than people think.

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