We all have a responsibility to protect the planet we live on. A large part of this effort comes from making sure our homes cause as little harm to the environment as possible. Making your home more sustainable and greener doesn’t just help the planet—it can also help with your bills too. Whether you want to go big or make a few small changes, here are a few ways to make your home more sustainable so that we can all help keep our world healthy.
Install a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are extremely useful home upgrades that many don’t know about. They’re all about reducing the amount of energy you use. A smart thermostat can regulate the temperature in your home to a much finer degree, allowing you to use less energy to heat or cool your home. The less energy you use, the less impact you have on the environment—and the more sustainable your house becomes.
Insulate Walls and Windows To Reduce Energy Use
You might be surprised to find out how much energy your home uses just to replace what you lose from unsealed windows and uninsulated walls. It may seem like a small change, but proper insulation around your windows and in your walls can save a lot of energy, lowering the amount your home needs overall. Combine this with a smart thermostat to have a home that can regulate itself without too much energy.
Switch to Solar Power
If you really want to take your home’s energy into your own hands, find a reliable solar contractor and put some panels on your roof. This is a long-term investment, but solar power is a much more sustainable and affordable way to power your home. You can reduce your electricity bill almost completely while also enjoying green and renewable energy.
Compost Your Food Waste
One simple way to make your home more sustainable is to start composting your organic waste. Throwing away organic waste isn’t great for the planet, and starting to compost instead is incredibly easy. All you need is a receptacle where you can throw your organic and food waste and a little bit of time. Sooner than you think, you’ll have useful compost that you can use in your own yard.
Donate Instead of Trashing
Homes generate a lot of trash and, unfortunately, a lot of it doesn’t even qualify as actual trash. Before you throw anything larger away, such as a couch or large amounts of clothes, consider donating those items instead. That way, they can be useful somewhere else. What isn’t useful to you anymore doesn’t need to end up in a landfill.