Promoting a green lifestyle can be difficult, but it is rewarding to think of its potential benefits. Most of these changes can be pretty obvious. You might decide to bike or take public transit to work. You may eat less meat or take eco-friendly bags with you to the store.

However, there are aspects to living in an environmentally conscious way that you are not thinking about. For instance, the way you choose to live within the walls of your own home can alter how much a carbon footprint you leave. Those hoping to reduce their environmental impact should consider what changes they can make to their house.

Use Recycled Materials

If you are planning to build your own home, you can start your eco-friendly journey on the right foot immediately. The materials you choose to build your home with can leave a positive mark on the planet and can even save you money in the long run.

Ask your contractor whether they use recycled materials in their building straightaway. The most common forms of material are recycled woods or metals, bamboo, cork, and much more. It may seem unorthodox at first, but these materials are being mainstreamed into building procedures as the years go on. You might as well get a head start on it!

Reduce Water Use

Saving water is one of the hallmark goals of any environmentalist. While there are certainly different lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce the amount of water you use, fixing problems with your home can guarantee you reach this goal.

Leaks are one of the worst ways you can waste water. Not only is it bad for the environment, but you aren’t getting to use it in the first place. Additionally, it can affect your monthly utilities in a significant way—this will likely be the first indicator that something is wrong. Contact a plumber and get the problem fixed immediately.

Improve Insulation

Speaking of utilities, the amount of energy you consume can also affect the environment. Conserving power can be done in a multitude of ways, but one of the most effective ways is by regulating the temperature of your home. Summertime may make you want to crank your AC, but minimizing this temptation is key.

For instance, there are many benefits of energy-efficient windows . Less sunlight can seep into your home, preventing a temperature rise. Trees can also provide this type of shade. Insulation during the winter can also reduce the need to blast the heat throughout the day. Seek out eco-friendly options like lamb’s wool or hay—it works just as well!

Install Solar Panels

Probably one of the most common ways people choose to go green is by utilizing solar panels for powering their homes. While certainly not a perfect source of energy, solar can reduce the amount of fossil fuels you rely upon. It also saves you money!

If you live in the suburbs, solar panels can drastically increase the property value of your home. Solar is the future in many consumer’s eyes, and the reduction in utility fees can feel quite satisfying for an initial investment. Installing the panels has stereotypically been labeled as a massive expense, but it has become more affordable over time.

Switch Out Your Light Bulbs

Another way you can reduce your energy expenditure is by switching out the lightbulbs you are using. Halogen and incandescent bulbs, while cheap, use up more energy than is necessary. They also cast an ugly yellow light on your home. Most landlords and previous homeowners will leave these bulbs behind. Keep this in mind when you move into your new home. LED light bulbs are the most effective and produce a visibly appealing white light. These bulbs use 75 percent less electricity than the aforementioned ones. Buy them immediately if you see the need. They will work wonders in your home.

Update Your Appliances

Your appliances could be the worst culprit offending your energy bill and the environment. Outdated appliances often have their fair share of problems—they aren’t effective, they waste water, and wreck your electricity consumption. If you have tried replacing your light bulbs and improving your home’s insulation and your bills aren’t where you’d like them, it’s time to update appliances.

Decide which appliances need to go. Review your refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer, and HVAC system. Make a priority list. Plan out how you will pay for the newer models. If they are still workable, you can sell your old appliances online after you buy the new ones. You may be able to gradually pay off an expensive one over time depending on the store.

Plant a Garden

Becoming more self-sufficient is yet another way you can reduce your carbon footprint . Planting a garden is not only a fun hobby that you can share with the family, but it limits trips to the grocery store, encourages healthy eating, and helps make the environment a more beautiful place.

Not sure where to start? Many different websites can set you up for success. They can even share natural solutions to keep your plants safe from pests. Gardening is a marvelous skill to develop and can help you share produce with people around you. Try it for yourself!

Buy Reusable Products

Recycling and reducing are the first two Rs in the environmental repertoire, but you can’t forget about the third: reuse. You must buy products that are meant to last. After they have exhausted their initial purpose, you should find creative ways to use the product differently.

For example, many people will use jars , cans, and other forms of trash as makeshift “pots” for plants. This reduces the energy that would go into making the pot you were about to buy, and also reduces waste in a landfill. These may seem like little things, but they can make a huge impact if people all over the world try them.

These are but a few of the ways you can make your home more environmentally friendly. It takes a lot of effort in different facets of life, but in the end, you have a home that is dedicated to serving the planet. Well done!

Find the perfect home for your lifestyle, check out our listings !