New year, new start. If you’re feeling inspired to make a change in your life this year, consider the ways you can go green in your home. Improve your own comfort, pad your wallet, and help the environment with these green tips.
- Avoid VOC Products
It’s time to take an inventory of your common household products and look for harmful VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. These compounds contain carbon, and are easily evaporated from water to air in normal temperatures. Too much VOC, and you may encounter throat and eye irritation, headaches, and even heighten the risk of cancer and liver damage. It’s easy to avoid; simply look for products that don’t contain any of the following VOCs:
- Acetone
- Benzene
- Ethylene glycol
- Formaldehyde
- Methylene chloride
- Toluene
- Xylene
- 1,3-butadiene
Where should you start your search? Check the labels on your paint, adhesives, solvents, wood preservatives, disinfectants, and even air fresheners. Replace the items you get rid of with green cleaning products from GreenWorksCleaners.com.
- Consider Programmable Thermostats
If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, it’s time to install one. These smart pieces of technology are designed to learn your habits, turning the cooling or heating on when you’re home, and making sure it’s off when you’re away. It saves you the trouble of remembering, and is sure to help you cut down on heating and cooling costs.
- Switch From Paper Towels to Cloth
Many people rely heavily on paper towels; unfortunately this habit can wreak havoc on the environment. Paper towels are made from trees, and while many paper companies do make a habit of planting more trees every year, the consequences of this practice are far reaching. The majority of paper towels are manufactured with chlorine, which has been shown to release carcinogenic dioxins into the environment. Curb the growing problem of paper waste and switch from paper towels to reusable, washable cloths. It may be a tough transition at first, but you’ll be glad you did, and save plenty of money on paper towel purchases.
- Replace Light Bulbs
It’s one of the easiest ways to be energy efficient, but there are still some people who haven’t made the switch to energy efficient light bulbs. Inexpensive and quick to accomplish, check out the energy efficient lighting options from 1000Bulbs.com.
- Purchase Energy Efficient Appliances
While it can be an investment, purchasing energy efficient appliances for your house can make the biggest difference. Whether it’s a new washer and dryer, a stainless steel refrigerator, or a modern stove, you’ll find that these investments can definitely pay off in the long run, especially when it comes time to sell your home.
- Consider Solar Energy
Solar energy is the way of the future, and while the initial cost of solar energy features can be quite expensive, there are ways you can buy what you need, without depleting your bank account. Consider purchasing solar panels for your home through a PACE financing program like HEROProgram.com. Affordable and sustainable, this is one investment that will pay off in the long term.
- Collect Rainwater
With droughts in numerous states, it’s more important than ever to be mindful of your water usage. It’s also a good idea to consider what you can do with a free water resource: rain. Consider this: a single night of heavy rain can drop hundreds of gallons onto your house. This wasted water simply drains out to the street, collecting debris and toxins as it goes—which wind up in the public waterways. Instead, consider collecting rainwater to irrigate your landscaping. From catchment systems to a simple DIY bucket, you’ll find your water costs decrease and your garden flourishes.
- Use Native Plants
Go green in both the figurative and literal sense by planting native plants in your front and back yards. This is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your environment within your property. Why? According to EPA.gov, almost 30 percent of the water consumed every day in the United States is used for outdoor areas, particularly irrigation. Native landscaping requires less maintenance, matches the local geography, and helps indigenous wildlife communities thrive.
Article submitted by Community Writer.
