An increasingly popular theme for homeowners and renters in 2018 is to minimize both environmental and financial outlay by using more sustainable technology in their home. Environmental health is a widespread topic that many support, but many homeowners and renters may not know exactly where to start. There are plenty of resources that are already accessible if you know where to look and what to look for.
Here are just a few ways you can adopt a more sustainable conscious that will benefit both the earth and your families health.
Water
Water conservation is an important element to eco-friendly living, and it can be easier than you think! When you use the right tools and products, you can start saving water and energy without even realizing it. To start, pinpoint the times and activities that you are using the most water. For instance, showering and bathing can account for about 17 percent of residential water use and in the United States, the population consumes almost five billion gallons of water each day! A solution to this problem is using a water efficient shower head like ones with a WaterSense label. If every home in the US used a water conserving shower head, energy costs for heating water could be reduced by $2.6 billion! You can purchase other energy efficient utilities as well such as toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, and faucets. Installing just one of these can help save water in your home without changing your lifestyle. Another tip to conserve hot water is fixing leaks. Did you know a leaky faucet that drips one drop per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year? That’s equivalent to 180 showers.
Install Energy Efficient Windows
Everyone loves having big, beautiful windows to let the light into their homes, but did you know the wrong windows can negatively affect the energy efficiency of your home? Wood frames insulate well but they wear over time, especially if you live in colder climates. You can prevent drafts of cold air from cracks in or around the windows by adding storm or cold weather windows. These types of windows are tighter fitting reducing heat transmission. This will help your home be more energy-efficient and lower your heating bill! If you don’t want to completely replace your windows, you can consider Caulking or Weatherstripping. Adding Caulk (a material used to seal air leaks in cracks and gaps) to the perimeter of your window can help seal in the air without investing in a complete overhaul of your windows. Weatherstripping is a similar option, using different materials to tighten up the gaps in your doors and windows in order to keep in the heat during the chilly winter months.
Incorporate Eco-Friendly Furniture and Flooring
Pay attention to the little details in your home. We are constantly being exposed to different materials we come into contact with every day. We may not realize the fabrics and textiles we’re touching can be hazardous to our health when we swing our bare feet over the side of the bed in the morning or lay on the couch at the end of the day. Although you might think it’s harmless, inhaling these contaminants can affect your health over time. The wrong types of flooring and furniture can emit toxic VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), that float into your natural air. Benzene and Formaldehyde are two compounds that are often used in these products that have been linked to cancer when exposed for a long period of time. The good news is that today there are so many retailers supporting options made with organic materials and reclaimed wood. Tables made from recycled materials look aesthetically pleasing and chic in your dining area as well. For flooring, make a point to explore eco-friendly carpeting or hardwood options that are made with these concerns in mind. Many companies today, especially those that specialize in hardwoods, make a point to get their wood sustainably and use reclaimed materials when they can. That way you get the best of both worlds connecting the beauty of finished hardwoods and earth-friendly materials.
For even more eco-friendly tips, take a look at the visual guide below and incorporate our advice to live a viable and healthy lifestyle.
