Top 10 Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-friendly

The earth is in crisis. As the population grows, so does the amount of waste produced. Every day, people make more than 350 million tons of waste, which is expected to increase by 2025. A staggering 65 percent of artificial waste ends up in landfills. The only way to effectively reduce the negative impact of trash on the environment is to make it more sustainable.

Every single aspect of your home has the potential to make it more eco-friendly. It is not just about switching from disposable to reusable items. It is about adopting sustainable habits that go beyond the four walls of your home. From switching off lights and appliances to reducing water usage, these are the top ways to make your home more eco-friendly.

Switch off lights and electronics when not in use 

It is estimated that one-third of the energy consumed in the United States goes towards powering electronics. This creates $19 billion worth of coal and natural gas per year. The easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint and make your home more eco-friendly is by switching off lights and electronics when not in use. This simple habit can reduce your monthly energy bill by $50 a month.

Install a rainwater harvesting system

The average family of four uses about 400 gallons of water per day. When you multiply that by the number of people in your household, just how much water is wasted in a single day becomes clear. Installing a rainwater harvesting system can help conserve water and save money. A rainwater harvesting system collects rainfall and stores it as an alternative to potable water for things like laundry, dishwashing, and other household tasks. Rain barrels are often used in the collection process; one barrel can collect up to 1300 gallons of water with each inch of rainfall over a year.

Water conservation is one way to make your home more eco-friendly.

Install water-efficient showerheads 

It is estimated that the average person uses around 100 gallons of water per day. That number can be significantly reduced by installing a water-efficient showerhead. The EPA has a list of eco-conscious shower heads that you can install to reduce your water usage.

Install motion sensors 

Motion sensors automatically turn off lights and appliances when they don’t detect movement, saving you money and energy.

Install energy-efficient lighting 

The average American home has about 60 light fixtures, and most people leave lights on throughout the day. That’s a lot of energy wasted! If you have incandescent light bulbs in your home, replace them with LEDs. They use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 20 times longer. For example, if you replace just one incandescent bulb with an LED, you could save up to $130 over its lifetime.

Install a dry flush toilet 

If you have a septic tank, installing a dry flush toilet is one of the best ways to reduce water usage. This type of toilet uses only 1.6 gallons of water per flush versus 3.5 gallons with a standard flush toilet.

Install solar panels

Installing solar panels like these here are a great way to live more sustainably. Solar panels are becoming cheaper and more efficient as time goes on, and there are plenty of reasons you should consider installing them in your home.

The initial investment may seem steep, but you can discuss what you need in-depth with a solar panel company to determine the cost for your home, but the savings will quickly offset the costs of using less energy. Solar panels typically pay for themselves within four to seven years, depending on the cost of electricity where you live and your usage habits. But that’s not the only benefit they offer. They also do not produce greenhouse gases, meaning you can reduce your carbon footprint with minimal effort. Plus, if your solar panels are connected to your electric grid, they can help offset peak demand times during summer months when electricity use is high in some regions.

A study found that California could save up to $1 billion annually by reducing its use of natural gas in power generation through solar power development. The sun provides free energy—why not take advantage of it?

Eliminate single-use items and plastic

One of the most effective ways to make your home more eco-friendly is to reduce single-use items and plastic bags. Single-use items are used for only a short period before being discarded, such as paper towels, plastic cups, and takeout containers. Plastic bags are also single-use items that are often overlooked. Did you know that Americans use an estimated 100 billion plastic bags each year?

If you want your home to be more eco-friendly, try reducing the number of single-use products by using reusable options like cloth napkins or produce bags. You can also eliminate plastic bag usage by bringing a reusable bag when you go grocery shopping or buy other items. If this sounds like too much of a change for you at first, try eliminating one item a month until all disposable items have been eliminated.

Grow your fruit, veg, and herbs

Growing your fruit, vegetables, and herbs is one of the simplest ways to make your home more eco-friendly. You can do this by creating a small garden in pots or planting an herb garden in a pot on your balcony. Either way, it will give you fresh food every day with minimal effort.

Buy less stuff

One of the most important ways to make your home more eco-friendly is to buy less stuff. It may seem counterintuitive, but the less you buy, the less waste your house will produce.

Instead, invest in durable items that you can reuse again and again. This way you won’t have to keep buying new things.

Also, consider getting rid of items from your home that are broken or no longer used. Things like these take up space and add to your clutter, making it difficult for you to find what you need when you need it.

When it comes to making changes, it is better to make small changes you can stick to over a longer period than massive changes you cannot sustain. Focus on one thing at a time, then build up to more significant changes.