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Eight Key Steps to an Eco-Friendly Home

Some homeowners are interested in going green and creating an eco-friendly home. It provides many benefits to your health, wallet, and the planet.

But many people don’t know where to start with an eco-friendly home makeover. There is so much involved and plenty of options. Sometimes it seems overwhelming to do an entire home renovation at once.

Fortunately, you don’t need to do it all at once. Start with simple changes and build your way up.

Keep reading to learn eight key steps that you can do right to achieve an eco-friendly home.

1. Invest in Eco-Friendly Building Materials

These materials, such as recycled aluminum, bamboo, and hardwood, are often cost-efficient and renewable.

Additionally, they are also made from sustainable, natural materials. So, they can help to conserve energy and reduce a home’s overall carbon footprint.

Eco-friendly building materials are often fired, water-resistant, and require little or no maintenance, reducing overall costs and homeowners’ long-term expenses.

Some options include concrete made from reclaimed fly ash, cork insulation, and fiber cement siding with a low-volatile organic compound coating.

2. Choose Energy Efficient Appliances

Energy-efficient appliances use less energy than conventional models. It saves you money in the long run and is gentler on the environment. When shopping for energy-efficient appliances, look for ones that meet or exceed the standard requirements.

Newer models may include features such as an automatic shutoff or delay mode, motion sensors, and low power consumption. And many temperature settings to quickly adapt to changing needs.

Also, assess and compare estimated annual energy consumption ratings to what you currently use in an appliance to determine if you should switch to a more efficient model.

3. Adopt Sustainable Cleaning Practices

When choosing cleaning products, favor natural, non-toxic, and biodegradable cleaning agents. Make sure to read the labels to select cleaning products free from unnecessary harsh chemicals.

Properly discard used and expired cleaning products as per instructions, and whenever possible, reuse cleaning materials for more than one job. Diluting cleaning agents can be a more cost-effective and sustainable solution.

Additionally, microfiber cloths are more effective than paper towels in absorbing dust and bacteria and can be washed and reused several times.

To clean glass and silver surfaces, utilize natural ingredients such as lemon juice and baking soda. Remember to air out rooms after cleaning to reduce chemical fumes.

4. Utilize Recycled and Reusable Items

Reusing items significantly reduces the quantity of waste and resources needed to create new items.

Examples of such items include purchasing second-hand furniture, used appliances, and gently worn clothing. Yards sales, thrift stores, and flea markets are great sources of affordable and reused items.

Each item that is also reused is not only cost-effective, but it helps save resources as well. Also, buying recycled paper goods or repurposed materials such as compostable plates and utensils is a great option for reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.

Supporting local businesses that offer green products and services is another way of helping our environment.

5. Employ Natural Landscaping Solutions

Creating a sustainable environment begins with reducing chemical-laden products. Employing natural landscaping solutions can reduce chemical runoff, ultimately leading to a healthier ecosystem.

Natural plants can help protect against the spread of invasive plants, and mulch and compost serve as natural fertilizers. Food forests provide an entire ecosystem, rain gardens can help with drainage, and green roofs can lead to energy efficiency.

These solutions will decrease environmental pollutants, reduce water waste, and conserve resources.

6. Utilize Renewable Energy Sources

Solar panels can also be installed on the roof and create usable energy. It can also be used in the home, power appliances, and even reduce electricity bills.

Wind turbines can also be used to generate energy on a smaller scale. With wind turbines, you can choose the optimal location to take advantage of prevailing winds, allowing you to produce more energy.

Finally, geothermal energy can also be utilized to turn the home more eco-friendly. This form of energy utilizes the earth’s natural heat to heat water, reducing energy bills and making the home more eco-friendly.

Learn more about renewable energy sources and start with the solar panel installation today!

7. Develop an “Upcycle” Habit

Upcycling is the process of taking an item or material that was previously thought of as useless. And using it to create something of higher quality or value.

Examples include using old clothes to make a quilt or a broken glass container to make a beautiful flower pot. Upcycling has the potential to divert a large amount of waste from landfill. Reducing the harmful environmental impacts associated with landfilling.

This is an inexpensive and creative way to reduce our ecological footprint and encourage an eco-friendly home, as we reuse items that would otherwise be discarded.

8. Reduce Waste with a Composting System

Composting is an important step in creating an eco-friendly house. It helps reduce the amount of waste produced and can provide nutrient-rich soil for gardens.

There are several techniques for composting, such as combining kitchen scraps and garden trimmings, which can be done in an enclosed container or an open-air composting system.

Start by collecting organic materials to compost, from food scraps and kitchen trimmings to coffee grounds and eggshells. Then, decide which composting system works best for your setup.

Learn About Eco-Friendly Home Today

Conclusion: Following these eight key steps to an eco-friendly home will not only benefit the environment and have long-term financial benefits but can also reduce stress levels.

Make an eco-friendly home a reality by starting now to use sustainable practices for a better home and a better tomorrow. Take action today to make your home green!

So, what are you waiting for? Start sustainable living today!

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Featured Image by Lukas Bieri from Pixabay