How to Create a Sustainable Home

A sustainable home is not only great for the environment. It also works wonders for your peace of mind. To help you get started, here are a few ideas that you can do to create a sustainable home.

Unplug devices you’re not using

Leaving unused devices plugged in, even when they are turned off, consumes a lot of energy.  In fact, these generate around 50% of a property’s total electric consumption. Sadly, it’s a common wasteful habit many people underestimate and overlook.

To make your house more sustainable, unplug devices that you are not using–even when they are turned off. For convenience, you can also use a power strip for devices that you use regularly. Before hitting the sack, simply unplug the power strip instead of unplugging each device one by one.

Skip the dryer for a clothesline

The clothes dryer is one of the best inventions mankind has seen. It helps dry clothes effectively and efficiently. However, this handy tool is not as beneficial for the environment.

For instance, in the United States alone, they spend nearly $10 billion annually on utility bills solely for drying clothes. That equates to 16 million tons of carbon emissions yearly. To make matters worse, the clothes dryer has been falling behind the rest of the household technology: it consumes more electricity than a washing machine, a dishwasher, and a refrigerator combined.

So, create a sustainable home by skipping the dryer for a good old-fashioned clothesline. It’s great for the planet, and it will help you cut back on electric bills. Your clothes will also stay fresher and last longer. Just make sure to wring out your clothes gently before hanging them.

If it leaks, fix it

Leaks at home are normal, but they are actually a threat to the world’s limited water supply. When left unfixed, anything that leaks can waste as much as 3,000 gallons of water per year. That’s enough water to sustain a person’s shower sessions for half a year!

Make your home more sustainable by fixing leaky water fixtures and pipes. You can spot them by turning off all water fixtures and then checking your water meter. If it’s still running, something definitely needs fixing.

Take it a step further by replacing old fixtures with water-efficient ones. These will help you conserve water and reduce water bills.

Use efficient lighting systems

Many lighting equipment, usually traditional ones, are harmful to the planet. These contribute greatly to carbon emissions, especially when used irresponsibly. They are also made of unsustainable materials that release hazardous chemicals into the air if not disposed of properly.

If you would like to create a sustainable home, stay away from the traditional lighting system for your indoor space. Go for energy-saving lights like LED light bulbs and lamps. These perform better and last longer than their traditional counterpart.

For your outdoor space, go for solar lights. Since these rely on free electricity from the sun, they will automatically charge up and power up at dusk.

Eat more vegetables and less meat

According to studies, one-quarter of the global greenhouse gas emissions can be traced back to food production. A whopping sixty percent of these emissions come from the meat industry, from raising livestock all the way to selling them in the market. In fact, emissions from meat and other animal-based foods are double the amount that comes from plant-based products.

If you are a big meat eater and would like to create a sustainable home, perhaps it’s time to cut back on meat and eat more vegetables instead. Not only will this reduce your carbon footprint, but it will also improve your health.

Changing your eating habits may be hard, but it’s not impossible. To help you get started and maintain your progress, do it gradually. This will help keep your body from feeling deprived, which often leads to relapse.

Invest in solar panel system

Fossil fuels are the most common source of electricity for most homes throughout the world. Unfortunately, they are limited in supply and unsustainable. But before we even run out of fossil fuels, the earth would have already been deemed uninhabitable.

Help save our planet by using renewable energy for your home. A great way to do this is by investing in a solar panel system. It converts the sun’s energy into electricity, which then powers up your home.

Solar panel systems may require upfront fees, but these will definitely help you save more in the long run. GreenProjects can help you get started with your solar project.

Creating a sustainable home is not as complicated as people think. It could be as simple as unplugging your phone charger after use or turning off the lights in broad daylight. Eventually, these small habits pile up and leave a positive impact on the planet.

Start your sustainable home project with GreenProjects.

Do you want to learn more about renewable energy & using solar panel for your home? Inquire or sign up at greeptech.com