Most of us hear about the horrors of global warming/pollution on a fairly regular basis – and sometimes it’s pretty overwhelming. We all try to do our part to go green, but moment-to-moment convenience often gets the upper-hand.
These days, though, there’s an extra incentive to go green – it saves money. You don’t have to go out into the wide world and single-handedly save the whales – there’s a lot you can do right in the comfort of your own home, even if you’re not ready to move into a house made of straw or an “earthbag”.
Here are a few easy-to-implement basic tips for a greener home:
- Go green when you clean.There are all kinds of natural cleaning products available these days, plus any number of do-it-yourself recipes and solutions to help you protect your home and your family from chemicals.
- Invest in good windows.Strong, well-insulated windows are easy to install in most homes, and can really make a difference in your heating or cooling bill.
- Don’t be afraid to go solar.Solar power still seems pretty futuristic to most of us – but compared to your yearly gas heating bill, it can actually be a pretty down-to-earth solution.Furthermore, the government is attempting to provide tax write-offs for homeowners who take the plunge toward using solar power.
- Opt for real wood floors.You can either make them a priority when you’re shopping around for a home, or simply install them instead of replacing the carpets.Carpet traps chemicals and allergens, while wood floors from sustainable forests are natural, breathable, and easy/inexpensive to clean.
- Buy green appliances whenever possible – lots of appliances come with a rating that guarantees their efficiency.
- Use bamboo – for furniture, flooring, trim, etc.It’s one of the fastest-growing plant materials on earth.
- Fix your fixtures.That little leak in the bathroom sink may seem like a minor irritation and if you’re at work all day you may barely notice it.But over time it will result in huge amounts of wasted water – not to mention a bloated water-bill.
