Addressing these issues as soon as possible not only saves water but may help prevent more serious plumbing problems in the future. I am learning that I can help individuals beyond talk therapy—that creating a healing experience in How to make your home more environmentally friendly the home environment is still helping and facilitating wellness. While it is a priority that individuals address their most basic needs and safety issues, their home environment can become a focus once acute issues are stabilized.
- These prefabs are made from sustainable materials and partially built offsite using environmentally-sound practices, and may also incorporate eco-insulation.
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) installations convert the sun’s energy into electricity using photovoltaic cells or solar panels.
- Even when not in use, many electronic devices, including televisions, microwaves, scanners, and printers, use standby power to save warm-up time.
- Keep a regular cleaning and replacement schedule to ensure the filters are always clean and working properly.
- It’s good to stay aware of energy consumption and to make changes when the usage is predicted to go above the limit set for the month.
- All-electric homes can also be very eco-friendly, depending on where your energy comes from.
Opting for paperless billing and sealing home gaps are some of the most straightforward easy ways to make your home environmentally friendly and green. Combined, heating and cooling accounts for nearly half of household energy consumption. You can reduce energy consumption and save money by using a programmable thermostat. For every degree you reduce the temperature in the winter or raise it in the summer you are saving up to 1% in energy costs for each 8-hour period, according to the Department of Energy.
Opt for energy-efficient HVAC
To further boost your house’s eco-friendly attributes, upgrade the roof. Schedule a roof inspection annually to determine whether your roof is in need of a fix-up. In some cases, simply replacing a few shingles may be sufficient. If this occurs, talk to your roofer about adding energy-efficient features like solar panels.
Where you put your windows, in particular, can help you take advantage of natural light and heat. In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing windows will give you more sunlight in winter, allowing you to minimize your reliance on artificial heating and lighting. GHG emissions, with the average passenger vehicle producing about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, according to the EPA. Use eBay, Craigslist or other means to buy used items, particularly durable goods that are needed for a limited time, like nursery furniture.
Insulation and Draught Proofing
It’s also a great waste of water and energy from your washing machine. Also, be sure only to buy non-toxic detergents and avoid the use/overuse of tumble dryers. It’s very important to check your boiler annually to ensure it runs safely and efficiently. Your boiler might burn more fuel to heat your home, especially as it ages.
Home energy auditors check for air leakage, determine your insulation levels and inspect your fireplaces, lights and smoke detectors. Best of all, Fasullo says the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) covers 30% of the cost of the audit (up to $150), making this step a no-brainer. This should be your first step in understanding where your energy costs and emissions come from.