Companies such as CertainTeed are attempting to make the vinyl siding industry greener by creating vinyl siding made from at least 60 percent recycled content. Getting in touch with nature has plenty of health benefits, but optimizing your layout to take advantage of natural light is also an easy way to cut down on energy consumption (and save money). “Think about which rooms have the most sunlight and how you are utilizing them,” counsels New York designer Gala Magriñá.
Grow herbs in small spaces
- We don’t have official statistics on this one, but it seems safe to say that you’ll be 100 percent more likely to recycle your beer bottles and salsa jars if you actually have a designated place to put them.
- On the other hand, too many west-facing windows will provide more light and heat on sweltering summer afternoons and encourage you to use your air conditioning more.
- So, if you have been thinking about making the “green change” but aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place.
- Sustainable house design is a concept that already exists tobe rolled out to the masses – in the form of prefabricated, or ‘prefab’, homes.
If you’re still buying incandescent light bulbs, it’s time to switch to light-emitting diodes (LEDs). After a brief delay by the previous administration, the Department of Energy moved forward with a long-proposed rule that phases out inefficient lighting. Changing your home’s lightbulbs and fixtures to LED saves money and reduces your carbon footprint. The sustainability of building materials is only part of constructing a green home. How a residence is heated and its electricity source are also major factors. Biofuels, geothermal, hydro, solar, wind – there are a lot of alternative energy sources for homes.
Composting Food Waste
You don’t have to give up paper towels completely, but it’s best to use them sparingly. A compost bin will help you get rid of leftovers and will give you free fertilizer you can use for your plants. LED bulbs have also evolved over the years to fit all types of needs, from recessed lighting to dimming switches.
Are wood burning fireplaces a sustainable alternative energy source?
The tiny home trend has surged in popularity in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. These houses have an https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/5-reasons-sobriety-tattoos-are-a-terrible-idea/ average size of 186 square feet and are extremely efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective. There are a few different types of geothermal heating, but all use a buried or submerged “loop field”, typically made of polyethylene tubing. There are both open and closed-loop systems, but these essentially work in the same way by bringing the heat energy stored in the soil or groundwater to your home via these tubes. Plant a deciduous tree in front of south facing windows to provide shade in summer but let light through in winter.
Loft Insulation
- With all these options at your fingertips, you’ll be able to find clothing that fits both your style and values perfectly.
- By using the cold water setting on your washing machine, you can eliminate up to 1,600 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
- However, modern innovation has helped us develop double-glazed windows and roofs that are not only energy-efficient but also look attractive.
- Making your home eco-friendly can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
Traditional turfgrass lawns need lots of water, but xeriscapes can be a great sustainable alternative. “Xeriscaping is increasing in popularity and involves using native plants, turf, gravel or other materials to reduce or eliminate the usage of grass,” Raboine says. Joe Raboine, vice president of design at Belgard, says rainwater harvesting reduces metered water use.
Sustainable Lifestyle Resources
Cultivating herbs, flowers, vegetables, fruits, and other plants in your backyard or on a windowsill has many benefits. Plants clean the air and provide a habitat for pollinating insects that are essential to all ecosystems. Growing plants can also strengthen your relationship How to make your home more environmentally friendly with nature, allowing you to better appreciate the splendor of life, and ultimately turn you into a stronger advocate for the planet.