In today’s day and age, people are always looking for affordable ways to be more eco friendly. It’s a win for the environment, and it’s a win for your bank account! Oftentimes the inspiration to become more eco friendly can hit when you’re planning to relocate or when you’ve just moved homes. But the task of becoming eco friendly can seem so overwhelming, that it’s hard to know where to start. Stress no more, because we’ve done the research for you, breaking it down into some really simple steps. Here are 7 easy affordable ways to create a more eco-friendly home.
Be water smart
When we think about creating an eco-friendly home, our minds often turn to all things electrical. But to be truly sustainable, we need to take a holistic approach and consider our water usage too. You may be surprised to learn just how much water can be wasted from a single dripping tap! Make your home more eco-friendly by taking the time to fix any water leaks. It’s also important to think about how you consume water for every-day use or when you’re clean focus. Running the tap while shaving or brushing your teeth can result in a lot of litres down the drain. So simply turning off the tap can benefit the environment and reduce your water bill!
Energy-saving lighting
Did you know that energy-efficient light bulbs can last up to 12 times as long as traditional light bulbs while using less electricity to emit the same amount of light? Installing energy-saving light bulbs can help you reduce your carbon footprint and save you dollars when it comes time to paying your quarterly electricity bill.
Solar panels
Another way to save money on your electricity bill is to add solar panels to your home. While installing solar panels might be a large upfront expense, the cost will certainly pay off! Solar panels help you save money by creating a natural source of energy to power your home, instead of using electricity from the grid. Just like energy-saving lighting, solar panels will reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, meaning you’re benefiting the environment!
Smart meter
If you live in a cooler climate, then you probably use a lot of heating to keep your home warm and cosy. However, if you’re not careful, your heating can be one of the biggest contributors to wasted energy and wasted money. A great way to combat this problem is to use a smart meter. Smart meters can be programmed to turn on and off at certain times of the day. They can heat up your home before you arrive at the door, or turn off before you leave the house. This is a must for anyone who uses a lot of heating and is looking to create a home that’s more eco-friendly and affordable in the long run.
Natural cleaning products
While they may be a laundry-cupboard staple, traditional cleaning products can be incredibly harmful for the environment, not to mention your health. The good news is that they aren’t your only option. In recent years, more awareness has been brought to eco-friendly cleaning products. These products include ingredients that are good for the environment and safe for your health. This can also be a very affordable option, as they can be made at home using ingredients in your pantry. So if you’re looking to make the switch to a more eco-friendly home, eco cleaning is the way to go!
Compost
Food waste is one area we don’t always consider when we think of being more sustainable, but it can take a massive toll on the environment. Reduce food waste around your home by introducing a compost system. Composting reduces methane emissions that are caused by the waste that ends up in our landfills. It also puts scraps to good use by creating fertilisers. And it’s not just something that you can do at home. You can ask your office cleaners at work to introduce a composting system, and get employees on board too.
Purchase second hand
While you may tend to think of op shops as a place to find a new treasured dress or pair of pants, you can also scour op shops for recycled home goods. You may come away with a near-new microwave, or you may just find that new TV you’ve been looking for. Remember, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
