Homeowners across the globe are becoming more aware of how daily behavior and home practices affect the environment in negative ways. We all want to do our part in keeping the world healthy and viable for future generations. The term “going green” often conjures up the idea of huge renovations throughout your home, but this does not have to be the case. There are a few simple and affordable ways to improve your home with green living principles in mind.
Light bulbs are energy hogs, and that cannot be denied. It is also true, however, that modern homes are not likely to give up the idea of easy and accessible lighting. Electricity needs bulbs to work, but they do not have to be the old standard ones that we have become accustomed to. Florescent bulbs are easy to install, cheaper to use and healthier for the environment. Make the simple switch to these types of bulbs throughout your home.
We all want to feel safe at night, and outdoor lighting is a guaranteed way to discourage thieves from breaking into your home while you sleep or while you are away. It is not always necessary, however, for all areas of outdoor lighting to be constant. Consider installing a motion detector around a few outdoor sections of your home. The sudden illumination will often scare away intruders much more quickly than consistent light, which can be scrutinized for ways around it. Motion detectors can make you safer while also consuming less energy.
Insulation and weather stripping are obvious way to reduce energy consumption and lower your utility bills at the same time. Remember to include outlets and switches to your list of things to insulate. Use foam gaskets and other insulating tricks to target the less obvious areas. Insulating between walls and in attics are a given, since this is where much of the cool or warm air inside the home escapes. Either install sheet insulation yourself, or have a qualified professional blow insulation in with special machines.
Solar panels on rooftops have been a touted way to “go green” and can indeed make a huge difference in consumption, cost and availability of the resources you need to have a properly functioning home. Unfortunately, solar panels can also be expensive to install. Many areas, particularly small towns, also may not have qualified installers and professionals available for ongoing maintenance. Until solar panels become more mainstream and affordable, think of small things you can do, such as using white or light colored tiles on your roof. These can deflect the heat in the summer, thereby reducing the need to use excessive amounts of energy inside the home.
Recycling has become a standard in many cities around the world, and is an easy way to lower the amount of the world’s resources that are consumed every day. Consider taking things a step further by composting leftover food particles. Composting bins are relatively inexpensive to purchase and easy to maintain.
Home improvements that focus on reducing your carbon footprint in small ways are important for their ability to impact the world in a positive way, one day at a time. Implement some of the techniques here to join the bandwagon of responsible and considerate homeowners.
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