Practical Ideas You Can Try to Make Your House Eco-friendly

Indeed, some things are alarming and things that are not. The problem is we often interchange one for the other. Recently, a global poll on climate change was carried out involving approximately a million people from 50 different countries. The results may surprise you. Almost two-thirds of people that participated in that poll view climate change as a global emergency.

The problem with climate change its effects are not so apparent. It’s like putting a frog in a kettle with water. If the water is hot, the creature is bound to jump out if it can. But if the water is tepid, he’ll stay, even when you slowly turn up the heat. Take note that global warming unabated is expected to make 8% of the total species on the planet extinct. Think about that.

This is why when you start being eco-friendly at home, you’re actually doing Mother Earth a favor. Imagine how much it will make her smile if all houses in America follow. Indeed, with concerted effort comes results.

The good news is there are quick ways you can follow to have an eco-friendly living space. Here’s an expert take.

Proper Insulation

A good first step to being eco-friendly at home is proper insulation. If you don’t properly insulate your home, you are actually wasting needed energy. In doing so, you’re throwing Mother Nature’s natural resources to waste. Now you may think it’s isolated. But over 98 million American homes are under-insulated. Meaning: wasted energy adds up to billions of dollars every year.

With proper insulation, you get to keep your house cool during summer and warm during winter. It’s an effective method all year round in maintaining the temperature you desire in your home.

When insulating your home, keep a close eye on openings in key areas: walls, roof, windows, doors. You can use an infrared scanner to get the job done faster. Usually, the average heat loss is as follows:

• About 30 to 40% of heat is lost through walls.
• Heat loss via the roof is around 25%.
• Heat loss in windows and doors is about 20%.

There are different types of insulation. You can take a look at this guide to understand each type and how to go about it.

Light Bulbs

Another way to be eco-friendly at home is by changing your light bulbs. You should swap all those old halogen-style bulbs that you have in your home. Those consume a lot more energy. Opt for newer LED-based bulbs.

LED-based bulbs would help save a lot of energy in the long run. Another good thing is that the bulbs are very resilient. Indeed, they last for a long time, about 3-25 times longer than your run-of-the-mill lamps. In short, you get to save money long term.

HVAC System

Also, pay attention to your HVAC system. Maintaining your HVAC system is vital when it comes to being eco-friendly. To boot, ensure that you change the air filter as often as you should. A quality air filter will need to be replaced after 60-90 days. Some top-notch quality air filters can last as long as a year, but that’s about it.

To minimize energy consumption, the HVAC system needs to be functioning effectively. As much as you want to DIY the job, letting professionals get the job done is wise.

For instance, having experts repair your furnace is wise. By doing so, you lower your utility bill and extend your equipment life. In the long run, being eco-friendly saves you a lot of money.

The same goes true for your heat pumps and air conditioners. Get licensed technicians that will come in for regular checks to offset repairs that will take a huge chunk of your budget.

Install a Compost Bin

Waste in your kitchen is another thing to pay close attention to. Food waste can be put to good use. You can install a compost bin. Have all the food wastes dumped there. Then you can use the waste as manure for growing vegetables in your garden.

Not only do you reduce the need to buy chemical fertilizers, but you also enrich the soil better. How? You boost the production of good bacteria and fungi that operates on organic matter to form plant-beneficial humus.

Solar Panels

About 84% of the world’s energy is still supplied by fossil fuels. And this is sad because fossil fuels are one of the contributors to the pollution of the environment. In this regard, one of your goals should be to reduce the number of fossil fuels burnt in your home. And one way you can achieve this is by installing a solar panel.

The free energy from sunlight can be put to good use if you install a solar panel on your roof. The energy stored by the solar panel can be used in your home. And don’t worry about the initial cost. As you’ll see, you’ll save more with solar panels than with traditional energy sources over time.

These steps may be simple. But truth be told, your precious abode could be the example that sets off many to follow. Chances are, an eco-friendly America is indeed a good start to an eco-friendly world.

Meta title: Creating an Eco-friendly Home with These Easy Strategies
meta desc: Being eco-friendly starts with one’s self. People have a responsibility to keep Mother Earth safe. You can start from the comfort of your home. Learn more.