Implementing sustainable solutions in your home sounds like a daunting task, not to mention costly, but really, it doesn’t have to be. The good news is that incorporating eco-friendly features into your home isn’t only for the privileged folks who can afford to blast money.
Here are some ways in which you can ‘greenify’ your home, which will not only save the planet little by little but also cost you less in the long run when implementing most of these hacks.
Use Air Conditioners That Are Energy-Efficient
Besides lowering your overall carbon footprint, energy-efficient air conditioners can also lower your overall energy use, and therefore, your monthly bills will also be lowered.
Reuse What You Already Have
Reusing existing building materials or furniture items can ensure you consume less and, therefore, waste less. Instead of chucking an old furniture piece, why not upcycle it to create something unique? You can also reuse bricks from a section of your home that was demolished.
Opt for Low VOC Paints
If you have an upcoming paint job, then you should try to avoid paints that are high in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) as they can potentially be damaging to the environment and one’s health. Every paint contains unfavorable compounds, but by opting for paints that are lower in VOCs, you and your family, as well as the environment, will have less exposure to these harmful chemicals.
Buy a Used Kitchen
Say you have a kitchen redo coming up, and you’re searching for ideas for a new kitchen. Why not go for a second-hand or ex-display kitchen? This will not only spare you hundreds and maybe even thousands of bucks, but it will also reduce waste, which we all should strive to do.
Buy Local
If you ever have the opportunity to shop locally, then you should jump on it. Locally sourced and produced goods reduce transportation distances and costs, which in turn reduces overall emissions. As a bonus, you’ll also be supporting your local community.
Update Your Insulation
One of the most effective ways to improve your home’s overall carbon footprint is by upgrading its insulation. In doing so, you will reduce the heat that gets lost through your walls, floors, and ceiling. This may cost a hefty amount to incorporate at first, but with all the savings on your energy bill, you may save money over the long run.
Upgrade Your Windows
If you simply replace your single-glazing windows with double-glazing, then it could make a massive difference to your home’s energy output. The reason is that double-glazed windows prevent heat loss in winter and, therefore, keep the home heated for longer and more efficiently.
As a bonus, they also seem to have a noise-canceling feature to them, which will keep any unwanted noise from the streets out.
Go for Energy Efficient Appliances
When shopping for new appliances, be sure to purchase only those with certified energy-efficient stamps. Appliances such as dryers, washers, furnaces, refrigerators, and other electronics that are certified to be energy efficient can use up to 50% energy to operate! Now that’s something!
3 Outdated and Overdone Bathroom Design Trends That Are No Longer Trending
One could say that bathrooms are equal parts utility and sanctuary. Essentially, they’re the place where you can light a candle and wind down from a long day, but at the same time, it’s the exact spot where most of your grooming and getting ready for your day (or bed) happens. In terms of aesthetics, we do want our bathrooms to feel welcoming and serene, but, at the same time, they need to be functional.
3 Outdated and Overdone Bathroom Design Trends That Are No Longer Trending
15 Home Trends That We Wish Were Already Over
The home design trends that are so popular today will be out of style tomorrow. The “in” styles usually start at the designer level before trickling down to the public. It’s helpful to look ahead at the next trends when having work done for your home. What’s in today among the public may already be on its way out and no longer be used by designers.
15 Home Trends That We Wish Were Already Over
12 Household Items You Can Throw Out Today (You Really Don’t Need Them)
Do you feel sometimes like all you ever do is clean up and put away clutter? No matter how big your space is, it seems like all of our “stuff” just takes over, making it harder and harder to have a clean and tidy space.
12 Household Items You Can Throw Out Today (You Really Don’t Need Them)
20 Areas of Your Home That Need a Spring Clean the Most
As the season changes and the days grow longer, breathing new life into your living space with a thorough spring cleaning can be just what your home needs. While cleaning every nook and cranny might seem overwhelming, focusing on specific areas can make the process more manageable and rewarding.
Here are 20 home areas that could use extra attention during spring cleaning.
20 Areas of Your Home That Need a Spring Clean the Most
5 Ways to Easily Declutter Your Home
Have some New Year’s Resolutions? Is one of them making your home less cluttered and more streamlined?
Having an organized and decluttered home is important for mental health and a great way to make your life more organized and calmer. You can also sell your extra stuff and make some extra money.