CO2 emissions and single-use plastic are two of the largest sources of pollution in the world. But it is also a fact that everyone cannot afford Energy Star applications or solar panels. You can make certain small changes in your homes though. Some of these changes are pocket-friendly and they do not take up a lot of time. However, they are quite efficient and can turn your place into an eco-friendly one. Here are the changes that can make your home more eco-friendly.
Use cold water to wash your clothes
Most of the energy used up by the washing machine goes to warming the water according to Energy Star. Therefore, you must skip the heating setting of the machine and just use it on the cold water setting. This will not only restrict the emission of CO2 but will also maintain your clothes in good condition for long periods. Hot water is responsible for deteriorating the fabric and as a result, the colors of your clothing will appear less vibrant. There is no point in using hot water settings of your washing machines unless you are facing stubborn stains such as oil stains. If you feel that the cold water settings are not getting the job done you can turn back to the warm water settings.
Skip the use of a dryer as much as possible
At the time of sunny and hot months, it is a shame to not hang your clothes outside to dry. There’s something special about hanging the clothes out in the sun. It will also make sure that your clothes will last longer rather than while using a dryer. Some people may not have a backyard or a garden where they can hang clothes. In such cases, you can place a drying rack on the balcony and keep your windows open to allow the sun to dry the clothes faster.
Use LED bulbs rather than the usual light bulbs
You must invest in more energy-efficient light bulbs as they make a huge difference to energy use. You will not only consume less energy but you are also making your house more eco-friendly. It doesn’t matter how tempting the use of incandescent bulbs is, the LED bulbs are a better option. They are eco-friendly, last longer, and in the long run, save money.
Get blinds and curtains
The blinds and curtains are not just used for keeping the nosy neighbors away but they are also capable of keeping the cold air and heat out. There is always the possibility of cold air and heat creeping inside the room despite maintaining the windows in a closed position. When you do not have a large tree for protecting your house from the sun at the time of summer months your residence may feel like an oven. By upgrading the blinds and curtains you will make sure that you are maintaining the room temperature and making the house more environment-friendly. Moreover, you can also use the HVAC equipment to assist you in countering this issue. This will not only provide you with a certain solution but an eco-friendly one as well.
Get a compost bin and a recycle bin
If you have a recycle bin you are more likely to be conscious about recycling jars, glass bottles, paper, and other such items that can be recycled. The compost bin helps you in getting rid of the leftovers and it will provide a free fertilizer that can be used for the plants. Nowadays, the compost bins are designed to be tidy, neat, and free from odor. In addition to this, they make your life simpler as they are helping you decrease household waste.
Have plants and herbs
If you are wondering what you can do with your fertilizer the answer is simple. You can plant an herb garden of your own. Herbs do not take up a lot of space. It is possible to plant them in smaller pots and place them within the home close to sunny windows. What is the benefit of doing this? You will always get fresh herbs to make your favorite dishes. Are you worrying that your room is not bright enough for plants to grow? No need to trouble your mind about it. All you need to do is make some space for an indoor grow tent that will allow you to grow plants inside, even if the room is otherwise dark.
Be smart in the kitchen
Several people use an oven for toasting because they feel it is not energy efficient to use a toaster. But, the oven uses up a lot of energy for heating the food properly. If you are planning to roast just a couple of slices of bread, it is not efficient to use the oven at all. A toaster uses less energy and can get the job done quicker. As far as the oven is concerned check its door every time you make use of it for baking or cooking something and ensure that the oven door is closed properly. An open oven door means energy loss.
This post was written by Yolanda Wells
