One of the simplest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to start living more energy efficient at home. Today we’re sharing some simple ways you can make your home more efficient to live an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Lower the Thermostat
According to most experts lowering your thermostat by just 5-10 degrees can decrease your energy costs by 5-15% every year. If you already keep the thermostat relatively low during the heating season, then you won’t need to go lower. You still need to maintain comfort in the home.
Start a Compost Pile
This is especially helpful for all of the gardeners out there. Having a compost pile is a fantastic way to make eco-friendly fertilizer for plants. This also reduces the amount of trash you put into the landfills. The local wildlife will enjoy your compost pile, too.
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Swap the Showerhead
You can buy low-flow showerheads to reduce your water consumption. This will help you save money on the water bill plus allow your family to use less water. This also allows more water to stay in the reserves for nature and plant life.
Seal the Cracks
Walk around your home to check for airflow from entryways and windows. Seal up any cracks you find with water stripping or similar supplies. This will help reduce your heating bill, thus using less fuel and reducing your carbon footprint.
Don’t use Space Heaters
Space heaters may sound great in theory, but they consume a lot of energy. Consider reducing the use of space heaters throughout your home, or just removing them altogether. This can keep your family safer, too, as many space heaters have caused house fires in the past.
Swap Those Lightbulbs
It’s hard to find old style lightbulbs, but some people still have them in their homes. Swapping out incandescent light bulbs for halogen, LED’s, or CFLs will help reduce your energy bill. They’re also proven to be more environmentally friendly than the incandescent ones we’ve used for years.
Unplug It
If you’re not using it, then unplug it! This goes for smartphone chargers, computers, some appliances, stereos, and anything else you keep plugged in but aren’t using frequently. Opting to unplug your electrical devices when you’re not using them can conserve energy to live a more eco-friendly life.
Run Washer in Cold Water
Another way to make your home more energy efficient is to run your washer in cold water. Stop washing clothes in hot water! It’s not necessarily and increases your consumption of energy. When you start washing clothes in cold water, you reduce your energy bill and live with a lower carbon footprint.
These are just some of our basic ideas to help you make your home more energy efficient. Each of these ideas won’t require a huge lifestyle change, just one little adjustment throughout the home will suffice.