Five Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

July 15, 2020
Photo by Vlada Karpovich at Pexels

The world is becoming more environmentally conscious and people are seeking opportunities to make their lives and their homes eco-friendlier. You don’t need to spend tens of thousands to transition to more sustainable living in your home. There are tons of small changes you can make with your furniture choices, fixtures, and appliances that will contribute to a household that is, overall, eco-friendlier.

1. Eco-friendly mattress

Mattresses generally use a considerable amount of resources to create, not to mention tons of toxic chemicals. They also contain many synthetic materials which contribute negatively to the environment. Instead, choose a mattress made from natural materials that are from sustainable sources. Look for eco-friendly materials used in furniture such as organic latex, organic wool from ethical farms, and organic cotton.

2. Use green cleaning products

The cleaning products that you use daily can have an extremely negative impact on the environment. It’s no secret that many cleaning products are packed full of toxic and hazardous chemicals. Just look on the back of any bottle under your kitchen sink and you’ll likely see a hazardous substance stamp. 

From disinfectants to carpet cleaners, bathroom cleaners, and even your laundry soap, these toxic substances will wash down the drain and end up in the local water supply. On top of that, many are poisonous if ingested, presenting a risk to pets or children. Swap for a greener, natural alternative, free of toxic chemicals. You can even make DIY cleaners from ingredients you probably have lying around the house.

3. Low-flow toilet

Swapping your regular toilet for a low-flow option will help you dramatically reduce your water usage. A regular toilet uses between 3.5-7 gallons of water each time you flush, while a low flow will only use about 1.6 gallons. Not only does it lose less water and, therefore, reduce your waste, it can also lower your water bill.

4. LED light bulbs

Change out all the light bulbs in your home with low-energy LED alternatives. Compared to incandescent bulbs, they use almost 90% less energy. On top of that, they don’t contain any hazardous materials or mercury. LED bulbs can produce up to 50,000 hours of light, meaning you won’t need to replace them as often as other bulb types. Since LED bulbs consume less power, they will help reduce emissions from your local power supplier.

5. Install a smart thermostat

One of the biggest energy-suckers in the home is from your heating and cooling system. Unless you are home to monitor your thermostat 24/7, your systems may be running unnecessarily. On top of that, you won’t be able to control the temperature while you’re asleep and are likely to waste a lot of power. Smart thermostats will control your energy usage by automatically turning up or down when necessary, such as when everyone leaves for work. It will automatically kick back on again before you return to ensure your home is comfortable. Smart thermostats also enable you to track your consumption and give tips on how to reduce your usage even further. 

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to not waste energy at your home. One of the ways to stay eco-friendly is via using energy-efficient radiators, which give you the opportunity to control the heating of your home remotely.  For example, radiators from BestElectricRadiators have a WiFi feature thanks to which you can switch on/off the heating anytime you want to, which will consequently save a lot of money.

Jamie Moses

Jamie Moses founded Artvoice in 1990

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