There are many ways to help the environment.Being green supports the environment and saves money.It will improve your home living conditions and help sustain the planet.By being energy efficient, generating less waste, and avoiding harsh chemicals, you can make a big difference.
Step 1: Insulate your home.
The majority of your home's energy expenditures come from heating and cooling.It is important for your home to be well-insulated to reduce the amount of heating and cooling needed.When your home was built, it should be well-insulated, but it isn't always the case.Hang thermal curtains over windows to improve insulation.Depending on the season, curtains can help keep out the cold or heat.If you want curtains to be a piece of decor for your home, pick a fun pattern or elegant design.They will help cut down on your heating or cooling bill.If you notice gaps or places where air is getting in, be sure to seal them.To seal the edges, buy caulk from a hardware store.Hire a professional to help if you aren't comfortable doing it on your own.
Step 2: Do you want to upgrade your windows?
A lot of a home's heat or air conditioning escapes through windows.Energy-efficient windows can be installed when your old windows need to be upgraded.They are double-paned for lower levels of air leak.If you want to cut down on your energy consumption, look into their energy performance ratings.Make sure they are installed correctly.The quality and price of energy efficient windows are vastly different.You can find them for about $100 per window, which will usually have a vinyl frame.These can be a good option if you want to reduce air leak.They can have frames of vinyl, wood, aluminum, or wood-clad for $1,000+.Either an experienced contractor or a window professional is needed to install windows.It's possible to have someone install them at the place where you buy them.A certain level of expertise is needed for window installation.
Step 3: Energy Star appliances can be used.
When it's time to buy a new appliance, look for ones that are Energy Star certified.These will save you money in the long run by using less energy to run them.Energy Star certified appliances include fridges, dishwashers, washers and dryers.If you upgrade one of your appliances, you can make your home more green.
Step 4: Light bulbs should be replaced.
This is a great way to be green at home.If you need lightbulbs, you should use the ones that are efficient.Compact fluorescent bulbs use 75% less electricity and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.They convert energy to light for efficient lighting.
Step 5: You can wash your clothes in cold water.
No heating is required.Cold water does a good job of cleaning your clothes, it eliminates heating energy, and it keeps colors from running.Wait until you have a full load so that you don't waste water.
Step 6: Make the most of the sun.
You should install solar panels if you are able to.You can live off-the-grid with this option.This option is not for everyone.Some locations don't get enough sunlight for this to be effective and the upfront costs of installation can be high, although it does save money in the long run.You can still benefit from the sun if you don't have solar panels.If you want to warm up your home, open the curtains.The room will raise several degrees with the sun shining.
Step 7: It's a good idea to set your thermostat.
It is 72 degrees in the room.It isn't necessary and you might need a lot of heating and cooling in your climate.Try to keep your home at 78 degrees during the warm summer months and 55 degrees in the cold winter.You won't notice the cooler temperature if you bundle up with a down blanket and fleece.If you're too hot in the summer, try using an energy efficient fan, wearing thin clothing, and getting some cold water on your face.Close your thermal curtains to keep the sun out.If you are too cold in winter, try wearing a warm sweater, slipper, and blanket.You can enjoy a mug of tea by the fireplace.It is possible to be warm and comfortable without paying a lot of heating costs.
Step 8: Plug your electronics in.
After your phone or computer is charged, you can take it out.You will be providing the energy for as long as the electronics are plugged in if they stay on continually.
Step 9: Unwanted materials should be recycled.
Many items that people throw out can be recycled.Some places give away free recycling services.Plastic containers, glass jars, tin cans, and paper can all be recycled.It is the same as throwing it in the garbage.Place it in the recycle bin.This will allow you to reuse your items instead of throwing them away.
Step 10: Donate or sell items.
This applies to clothes, electronics, appliances, and furniture.Someone else's treasure is your junk.You can take items to a Goodwill facility, sell them online, or give them to someone.If it is completely useless, try not to throw it out.Someone in need will wear a shirt if you stop wearing it.It's a great way to help other people and take care of the environment.Be aware of electronics.Many people have old phones and computers.It's important not to throw these out.If you can't donate or sell your electronics, there are recycling facilities for them.
Step 11: Buy what you need.
It's hard to get people to upgrade their phones or buy a jacket every season.Each item results in a lot of energy, resources, and waste.Try to pick out a few nice items that will last you a long time as opposed to buying something new every few months.It will help us to avoid throwing things out.
Step 12: Reusable items are better than single use.
If you don't want to use plastic water bottles, buy a recyclable one.You can use a mug instead of a paper cup.You can use a cloth towel instead of paper towels.Use ceramic dishes instead of paper or plastic.You don't have to buy and throw things out, but you can reuse a single item.This helps to cut back on waste and is a simple way to go green.
Step 13: A pile of compost.
You can compost food scraps.They will be able to break down into useful soil instead of sitting in a landfill for a long time.To make your own, you need to combine brown and green matter.There are many holes in the bin.Let them sit and mix them together.It takes several weeks for the items to be composted and you can continue adding scraps while you wait.It will help with your gardening by cutting back on waste.
Step 14: Only one bag of trash per month is the goal.
If you want to see how you are doing with eliminating waste, you should only fill up one garbage bag a month.You might be surprised at how little waste you create if you recycle and compost.One bag per month is a good goal to aim for, but feel free to adjust based on the size of your family.You will still make a difference even if you cut back on trash.
Step 15: It is possible to go paper-free.
Paper-free options can help eliminate a lot of waste.You can pay your bills online.Ebooks can be used instead of print books.You can use your computer to read articles.There aren't many things that need to be printed out.Airplane tickets can be used on your phone.
Step 16: Reduce the amount of water that is wasted.
Try to take quick showers by installing an efficient shower head.Five minutes should be all you need.If you can only wash your hair a couple of times per week, try to shower every other day.It is possible to give yourself a sponge bath in the morning.You will be clean and preserve water if you do that.The water should be turned off while you brush your teeth.It does not need to run the entire time.Fix the faucets.A few droplets can add up quickly.
Step 17: Use old items again.
You can reuse an old chair instead of throwing it away.Place an elegant cover over it and decorate it with a couple of throw pillows.It could be restyled for a brand new look.A lot of older items need a new finish to be brought up to date.A lot will come back in style.Hire someone to help you update your items instead of throwing them.
Step 18: Eat organic food.
The USDA Organic label should tell you if the food was grown according to the standards.Pesticides and chemicals are harmful to your health and the planet.If you don't have the budget to buy all organic foods, switch out a couple of items like grapes or spinach that are known to have a high pesticide content.
Step 19: You can grow your own vegetables.
This is a way to make sure they are chemical free.You can grow a few pots of herbs in your house.They will help keep your air clean.If you want to grow vegetables, plant a small garden outside.There is nothing quite like eating fresh produce and enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Step 20: You can visit a farmers market.
If you don't have a green thumb, you can benefit from those that do.Buy your food from a local farmers market.Fresh food tastes better, is healthier, and helps the environment by eliminating shipping the food which causes a lot of pollution.
Step 21: Eat whole foods.
Whole grains, beans, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and spices are some of the natural ingredients that can be found in some foods.You don't want to eat it if you cannot pronounce it.It's a good idea to read the label.It doesn't mean it actually is because it is advertised as natural.Limit your meat consumption.Raising meat depletes the environment.Pick a day a week to go vegetarian.Every little bit helps.
Step 22: Don't use harsh chemicals.
Toxic chemicals are in a lot of the cleaning supplies.If you expose yourself to another harmful element, you don't want to kill germs.Pick cleaning supplies with natural ingredients.Reducing toxic waste is better for the environment.It's possible to use a simple soap or baking soda.These will keep your home clean and will save you money.You should check the ingredients of your products.There are a lot of harsh chemicals in makeup, soaps, and toothpastes.Quality ingredients are important since these are used daily.There are many ingredients to look out for, but a good starting point would be to avoid some of them.
Step 23: Make your own products.
It's a good idea to make it yourself if you're unsure, as you can tailor it to your needs.Whether it is enjoying a home-cooked meal or making your own, making it yourself is generally healthier, less expensive, and better for the environment.Pick one item you would like to make for yourself.It may take a few tries to get the recipe right.If it doesn't go perfectly the first time, be positive.If you don't master one recipe, try another.