Sustainability and “eco-living” were once only associated with hippies and tree huggers. But today, thanks to science education and greater environmental awareness, people around the globe are trying to be more conscious about how their lifestyles affect the planet.
To reduce your negative impact, the best place to start is where you spend the most time: your home. Whether you’re building a new house, doing a full renovation, or trying to make your current place a bit greener, here are some of the best ways to turn your abode into an eco home.
Choose Low-Waste Materials
Overflowing landfills and excess waste are two of the largest environmental issues we’re facing today. Standard home materials and wasteful construction practices only make the problem worse. That’s why it’s so important to choose low-waste home products whenever possible.
If you’re building a house, try to use as many renewable resources as possible. This could include:
- swapping hardwoods for bamboo and cork
- choosing only recycled plastics
- swapping fiberglass insulation for a mix of sheep’s wool and cellulose
For those who are renovating or upgrading their current home, try to use remnants or thrift your supplies. Whenever possible, repair and update items you already have instead of buying new.
Practice Environmentally Friendly Energy Management
One of the best ways to reduce your reliance on the energy grid is to go solar. The experts at Blue Raven Solar explain that getting your energy from the sun is not only better for the planet, but can also save you thousands in energy costs (you can learn more about residential solar power here: https://blueravensolar.com/state-ohio/columbus/).
If solar power isn’t an option where you live, you can still practice eco-friendly energy and resource management. Here are a few ways:
- invest in Energy Star certified appliances
- have your windows double- or triple-glazed
- use natural light instead of electric lights
- manage your heating and cooling with a smart thermostat
- insulate your home and seal cracks/gaps
- install low-flow water fixtures and greywater systems
If you don’t have the budget for big changes right now, don’t worry. Even tiny changes like swapping your incandescent lights for LED bulbs can make a difference over time.
Create Green Spaces
Green living is best done in green spaces, but those can be hard to come by in today’s pavement-covered world. Thankfully, with a little creativity and elbow grease, you can use your property to replace some lost biodiversity and contribute to cleaner air.
For homes with a traditional grass lawn and cement patio, consider replacing it with native plants or a vegetable garden. Houses without large yards can still build vertical gardens, green walls, or even a moss roof. If you rent or live in an apartment, consider planting window boxes full of flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Use These Tips to Create Your Dream Eco Home
Your dream house doesn’t have to put a strain on the environment. By following these principles, you can turn your dwelling into an eco home that protects both you and the planet. Also, if you end up moving to a different home, ask for eco-friendly moving boxes to be conscious about the environment.
Looking for more lifestyle tips and news about the environment? Keep reading through the other articles on our site.