Many people think that making their homes more eco-friendly is expensive and challenging. In reality, it only requires a few simple changes to get started. If you are interested in making your house more environmentally friendly, this blog post will offer some suggestions on where to start.
Join a Solar Project
A solar project refers to a group of people who install solar panels in one area. This is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save on energy costs. You can search for a solar project in your area through the Solar United Neighbors website.
A solar project has the following benefits:
- Reduced energy costs for homeowners in the area
- Decreased power plant emissions by using solar instead of natural gas, coal, or other nonrenewable resources
- It helps build a more sustainable community through education and outreach events about how to install your solar panels at home
- Strengthens the local economy by creating jobs in the solar installation and manufacturing sectors
You can visit real estate websites to learn more about the cost of solar panel installations.
Buying House Plants
Houseplants not only look beautiful, but they also filter the air and increase oxygen levels in your home. Many indoor plants do well with low light or indirect sunlight, such as spider plants, peace lilies, bamboo palm trees, and snake plants. They require very little maintenance to survive once established as long as you avoid overwatering them. You can find great deals on used pots at thrift stores if needed.
Insulate Your Attic
Venting an uninsulated attic during cold weather can cause up to 12% of a household’s heating costs and loss of warm air. You can quickly reduce heating costs by insulating your attic to keep the warm air inside and the cold drafts out. Insulation is cheap, easy to install, and comes in many different thicknesses for different applications, such as fiberglass batts (R-13) or spray foam insulation (R-49).
Plug Air Leaks
Homeowners can do several minor things around their house to plug up tiny holes where heat escapes into the outside environment. Sometimes these places go unnoticed until it’s too late, like drafty windows/doors, gaps under doors, electrical outlets, and even light switches. These simple solutions will help you save money on energy bills all year long; plus, they make your home more comfortable when it’s chilly outside.
Get a Heat Pump Water Heater
A heat pump water heater is an appliance that uses electricity to move thermal energy from one place to another instead of generating heat through combustion. This type of water heater is more efficient than traditional electric or gas-fired water heaters and can save you up to 50% of your annual hot water costs. They also come in many different sizes to be installed in just about any home.
Buy LED Bulbs
LED light bulbs are one of the best ways for homeowners to save money on electricity costs, plus they last up to 20 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs, so you won’t have to replace them as often.
Conclusion
Making your home eco-friendly can seem like a daunting task. Still, you can make a big difference with a few simple changes by joining a solar project, buying house plants, insulating your attic, plugging air leaks, getting a heat pump water heater, and changing your thermostat. You can make your home more environmentally friendly and save money on your energy bills in the process.
