With the consequences of global warming becoming more evident with each passing year, many people are focusing on what they can do to become more environmentally friendly in their everyday lives.
Your home itself has one of the largest carbon footprints of any other aspect in your life. Finding ways to have your home converted to be more eco-friendly has become an important priority for many homeowners.
There are plenty of ways that you can start to make changes in your home and your lifestyle that can reduce your own footprint and help reduce the negative effects that you are having on the environment around you.
Energy-saving monitors, gadgets and even small changes to your daily routine are all small parts of a larger effort that can really have an impact on the size of your own carbon footprint.
Many home builders are now considering the environment in their designs. Creating eco-friendly homes with innovative layouts has become a huge trend in the housing market. There are many options available through Taylor Morrison that can give you inspiration for your own home.
Smart Meter
In the basic operation of a home, there tends to be a lot of energy waste. Heating and cooling your home can require a large amount of energy and is a great place to start when looking to trim back your usage.
If you are away from your home for large parts of the day, consider getting a smart meter that will let you program your thermostat to meet the needs of your schedule. Stay comfortable when you are home and reduce your settings for when your house is empty. This can make a big difference in your consumption rates as well as the size of your energy bills.
Water
Installing low-flow faucets in your kitchen and bathrooms is an easy way to save on your water consumption. Choose a toilet with a smaller bowl and tank to maximize your water usage in the bathroom.
Take a look at your daily habits and keep the water off when brushing your teeth or shaving. Running taps when they are not necessary is the leading cause of water waste.
Solar
You can consider adding solar power to your home. Powering your home with solar can be a larger initial investment, but over time you will be able to have your entire home function off the grid. In fact, if you are careful with your consumption, you may even be able to sell your surplus energy back to the grid for a profit.
From solar panels to a solar roof, solar-powered options are a great draw for buyers when it’s time to sell your home. Why not call a roofing contractor to see what they can offer you now as it’ll be well worth the investment.
Natural Products
Our home is filled with products that contain many harmful chemicals. An easy way to reduce your footprint is to switch to eco-friendly cleaning products like detergents and soaps. In fact, using natural products such as citrus, vinegar, and baking soda is often plenty of cleaning power to get any household chore done with ease.