6 Steps to Sustainable Living at Home
Would you like to live a greener life but don’t know where to begin? Your home is a great place to start. Fortunately, there are simple ways to significantly reduce your carbon footprint and household costs. Follow these six steps to make sustainability a priority in your home.
1. Have an Energy Assessment
The best way to create a more energy-efficient home is to have an energy assessment. Assessments are reasonably priced and may even be government-subsidized if your household falls below a certain income threshold. Your assessment will provide valuable information and home improvement suggestions tailored to your needs. One common problem is poor insulation, which is sometimes solved by replacing old windows and doors with high-quality, properly fitted ones.
2. Switch to Solar Power
If you are looking for a long-term investment, consider switching to solar power. Though the upfront costs can be intimidating, federal tax credits, property tax exemptions, and financing options can help offset the cost of installation. Pairing solar panels with home battery systems will allow you to store excess power and use it at night. This enables you to make your home self-sufficient.
3. Conserve Water
Small household leaks can cost you over 10,000 gallons of water a year. Luckily, you can invest in a smart water monitor that attaches to your water meter and collects daily water usage information. It can detect even small deviations from average use, allowing homeowners to identify water leaks before they become a problem. Water-efficient appliances and fixtures are also essential in conserving water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides information on low-flow toilets, shower heads, and faucets, detailing how well they meet water-conservation criteria. Look for a WaterSense label to indicate EPA approval.
4. Make Your Home Smarter
Perhaps the most effective smart device for energy conservation is a smart programmable thermostat. These thermostats adjust home temperatures based on usage patterns so that your house isn’t being unnecessarily heated or cooled when you are away. Similarly, smart lights may be put on automatic routines and controlled remotely from a smartphone. Smart lights are also universally LEDs, which use less energy and last much longer than traditional bulbs. High-efficiency Energy Star-certified appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and tankless water heaters use between 10% and 50% less energy annually than traditional ones.
5. Recycling
The most popular form of sustainability is recycling, but many of us don’t know all the specifics! Here are some tips.
- Use compostable (not plastic or biodegradable) bags to line trash bins.
- Paper and cardboard that are wet or dirty are not recyclable.
- Not all plastic can be recycled; only recycle plastics #1 and #2.
- You can often donate or repurpose old clothing and other household items.
6. Green Gardening
Well-thought-out gardening can help insulate your home. West-facing trees closer to windows will keep houses cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. If you have a green thumb, grow your own produce. There are also fantastic ways to garden sustainably, such as composting your kitchen waste to condition soil. Composting also reduces household landfill waste by 30%.
Learn more about sustainable gardning with these guides to ecological gardening, composting, and making a rain barrel.
Illustrations by Tobatron
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