Making your home more sustainable is a great way to reduce your environmental impact and save money on energy costs. In this blog post, we will discuss ways that you can make your home more sustainable. Many of these tips are easy to implement and will help you save energy and water. Let’s get started!
What Does It Mean to be Sustainable?
The term “sustainable” can be defined in many ways, but at its core, sustainability means using resources in a way that does not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This means that we need to be mindful of our impact on the environment and take steps to reduce our reliance on non-renewable resources.
There are many ways to make your home more sustainable, and we will discuss some of the most effective tips below.
Reduce Your Energy Consumption
One of the best ways to make your home more sustainable is to reduce your energy consumption. There are many things you can do to reduce your energy usage, including:
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can help you save energy by automatically adjusting the temperature of your home based on your schedule. Some of the best programmable thermostats on the market include the Nest Thermostat and the Ecobee Thermostat.
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
Energy-efficient appliances use less energy than traditional models, and they can help you save money on your energy bills. Some of the most popular energy-efficient appliances include ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers.
Switch to LED Light Bulbs
LED light bulbs use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent light bulbs and last up to 25 times longer. Not only will you save money on your energy bills, but you’ll also save money on replacement light bulbs.
Unplug Electronics When Not in Use
Many people don’t realize that electronic devices still consume energy when they are turned off. To avoid wasting energy, unplug electronics when not in use.
Install a Solar Panel System
Solar panel systems are becoming increasingly affordable, and they can help you save money on your energy bills. If you’re interested in installing a solar panel system, we recommend contacting a local solar installer for a free estimate.
Reduce Your Water Consumption
In addition to reducing your energy consumption, you can also make your home more sustainable by reducing your water consumption. There are many ways to reduce your water usage, including:
Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
A low-flow showerhead can save you up to 50 gallons of water per shower. If you are unsure of which showerhead to buy, we recommend checking out the EPA’s WaterSense program. There are also many high-quality low-flow showerheads on the market that are certified by WaterSense.
Replace Your Old Toilet with a Low-Flow Toilet
A low-flow toilet can save you up to 16,000 gallons of water per year. To find a low-flow toilet that is compatible with your home, we recommend visiting the EPA’s WaterSense website.
Install a Rain Barrel
A rain barrel can be a great way to collect rainwater from your roof and use it for watering plants or washing cars. Not only is collecting rainwater a great way to reduce your water consumption, but it can also help you save money on your water bill.
Use a Bidet
A bidet can help reduce your home’s water consumption by up to 75%. If you’re interested in installing a bidet, we recommend checking out TUSHY, a leading provider of high-quality bidets. There are also many easy to install bidet attachments on the market.
Collect Greywater
Greywater is water that has been used for showering, washing dishes, or laundry. This water can be collected and used for watering plants or flushing toilets. Greywater systems are becoming increasingly popular, and they can be a great way to reduce your home’s water consumption.
Reuse
In addition to reducing your energy consumption, you can also make your home more sustainable by reusing materials.
Use Reusable Shopping Bags
Reusable shopping bags are a great way to reduce your reliance on plastic bags. When shopping, bring your own reusable bags and avoid using disposable plastic bags.
Reuse Old Furniture
Rather than buying new furniture, try to reuse old furniture that you already have. This can help reduce your home’s waste output and save you money.
Reuse Old Clothes
Old clothes can be reused in many different ways. You can donate them to a local thrift store, sell them online, or use them as rags. Reusing old clothes is a great way to reduce your home’s waste output and save money.
Get Creative with Repurposing
There are many ways to repurpose materials, and you can get creative with them. Some ideas include using old tires as planters, using glass jars as candle holders, and using old pallets as shelves. Repurposing materials is a great way to reduce your home’s waste output and save money.
Recycle
Recycle Paper and Plastic
Most homes have a recycling bin for paper and plastic. However, many people don’t realize that they can recycle other materials as well, including glass, metal, and electronics. To find out what can be recycled in your area, contact your local waste management company.
Compost Food Scraps
Composting is a great way to recycle food scraps and reduce your home’s waste output. For more information on composting, we recommend checking out our composting guide.
Recycle Electronics
Electronics can be recycled in many different ways. You can donate them to a local charity, sell them online, or recycle them at a recycling center.
Recycle Empty Ink and Toner Cartridges
Empty ink and toner cartridges can be recycled at many local recycling centers. To find a recycling center near you, we recommend checking out the Recycling Coalition’s website.
Shop Sustainably
When shopping for home goods, try to buy local and sustainable products. This can help reduce your carbon footprint and support your local economy. Here are a bunch of different ways to shop sustainably:
Buy Products with Recyclable Packaging
When shopping for products, try to buy items that have recyclable packaging. This will help reduce the amount of waste produced by your home.
Buy Local and Organic Produces
When possible, try to buy local and organic produce. Buying local produce helps reduce the amount of energy used to transport produce to your home, and buying organic produce helps reduce the number of pesticides and fertilizers used in agriculture. If there are local farmer’s markets in your area, we recommend checking them out for fresh and sustainable produce. You can also order groceries and produce online from companies like misfit market or farmer’s market grocery.
Go Thrifting for Clothes
Thrift stores are a great place to find affordable and sustainable clothing. When shopping for clothes, look for items made from natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and linen. You can also look for secondhand clothes that are in good condition. A great hack for finding awesome sustainable and vintage fashion is by going to second-hand stores in higher-income areas where people are more likely to donate nicer clothes. You can also shop for sustainable clothing from ethical brands.
Buy Durable Goods
Another great way to reduce your home’s environmental impact is to buy durable goods that will last a long time. Durable goods are usually made from sustainable materials and can be recycled or reused.
Support Sustainable Brands
There are many sustainable brands that sell eco-friendly home goods. By supporting these brands, you can help promote sustainable practices and reduce your home’s environmental impact. Some of our favorite sustainable home brands include:
– Abeego
– Boll & Branch
– Canvas Home
– Coyuchi
– Ettitude
– Furbish
– Garnet Hill
– Food52
– Glass Dharma
– Gathre
– Goodee
– Grove Collaborative
– Heath Ceramics
– Homebound
– Humble Ceramics
– KeepCup
– Kinfolk
– Leesa Sleep
– Our Place
– Preserve
– Re:Purpose
– Reformation
– The Citizenry
– Thread
– Roostery
– Rowenta
– Saatva Mattress
– Society B
– The Citizenry
– Thuya home
– West Elm
– Year & Day
Other Ways to Make Your Home More Sustainable
Use Sustainable Materials
When building or renovating your home, try to use sustainable materials whenever possible. Sustainable materials include bamboo, cork, and wool insulation. These materials are environmentally friendly
Spread The Word
Educate your family and friends about sustainable living. One of the best ways to make a difference is to educate others about how they can make their home more sustainable. You can also join or start a sustainable living group in your community.
Sustainable living is a great way to reduce your home’s environmental impact. By making a few simple changes, you can help make a difference. Try out some of these tips and see how easy it is to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Do you have any other tips for living a more sustainable lifestyle? Let us know in the comments below!
