If you’re like most people, you know that you should be more eco friendly, but don’t know where to start. Learn how to be eco friendly at home by making just a few easy changes.
Many people haven't made a commitment yet to being more eco friendly at home because they think it will take a substantial effort. The truth is that it is easier than you think to get started.
You don't have to commit to spending the money to convert to solar power to make a difference. You can have a positive impact on the environment just by making very small changes in your home. Listed below are several eco friendly options you can do at home right now.
In this article you will:
- Learn some easy changes you can make in your home
- Understand how these changes will help the environment
- Feel better about the knowing what actions you can take
- See how these changes can also save you money
1Washing Clothes
Washing your clothes in cold water and hang drying them are two great ways to be eco friendly at home.
Washing clothes in cold water not only prevents shrinking but also uses much less energy because most of the energy needed to run your washer is spent on simply heating the water.
Hang drying your laundry versus running the dryer will also save you in energy costs as well as preventing shrinkage.
2Recycle
It is ridiculous to think how much paper, glass and aluminum cans end up in our landfills unnecessarily each year. Almost all product packaging can be recycled and/or re-used. Most communities have a recycling program similar to the weekly trash pickup. Contact your local city government to find out if one is available in your area.
3Turn Off the Water
Simply turning off the water when you are not using it is an easy way to be eco friendly at home. An easy way to limit water use is to not let the sink run while you are brushing your teeth. The same goes for doing the dishes, rather than running the water constantly while you are cleaning; fill the sink up with water instead.
4Turn Down and Insulate Your Hot Water Heater
If your hot water heater is hot to the touch it means you are losing heat and wasting energy. Purchasing a cheap insulated blanket to wrap around your hot water heater is an easy way to be eco friendly at home and save money.
You can also simply turn down the temperature on your water heater. There is no need to have your water heated to scalding hot temperatures. In fact, if your water heater is set that high you likely burn your fingers occasionally. Keep the max temperature set at 120 degrees or lower and you will save energy.
5Buy Music and Movies Online
In today’s world there is no longer the need to drive to the store and purchase an actual CD or DVD. You can just purchase and download them online from home.
In doing so you will not only save money and the environment on the wasted gas driving to the store, but you will also reduce the amount of energy needed to manufacture and package these items.
6Unplug Your Electronic Devices
Leaving your laptop or cellphone plugged in all day is doing much more harm than good. These items use energy even when they are fully charged. This not only wastes energy but it destroys your battery as well. Unplug your electronics when you are away. Better yet, buy a power strip for your home electronics and turn them all off when they are not in use.
7Change Your Light Bulbs
The most common thing people overlook when deciding how to be eco friendly at home is their light bulbs. It is true that compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) cost double or even triple that of a regular bulb, however the long-term savings you will see will more than make up for the upfront cost. CFL’s use a quarter of the wattage that regular bulbs do and they last much longer.
8Switch to Cloth Diapers
If you have little ones at home you know how many diapers your child goes through each week. All of those disposable diapers end up in landfills and they take decades to break down. They are also very expensive.
Switching to cloth diapers can make a significant impact on your budget as well as the environment.
Today’s reusable diaper is much better than in years past and they are designed to be easy to use and clean with high efficiency washing machines.
9Use a Reusable Shopping Bag
Reusable shopping bags are the most popular way to be eco friendly at home and for good reason. It's true that plastic grocery bags are recyclable, but the majority of them still end up in landfills.
Reusable bags are sturdier, more stylish and many grocery stores will give you an additional discount for brining your own bags.
10Get Rid of the Draft
Caulking windows and adding weather stripping to your doors are cheap and easy do-it-yourself ways to cut down on energy costs. Purchasing insulated curtains will also help cut down on the amount of cold and hot air that enters your home from outside.
Conclusion
Now you understand that it really doesn’t take very much effort to be eco friendly at home. You don't have to make major changes, it is usually the combination of many little things that have the biggest impact.
It's time now to start implementing some of these changes. You will help the environment and your budget at the same time.
