When you make eco-friendly changes at home, you will save money and improve your home environment at the same time. There are ways to save water, electricity, and cut down on food waste. Modest home improvement can lead to substantial savings when using recycled materials. Here are five ways being eco-friendly can help you save money.
Ways to Save Water
You can save water at home in many ways, reduce your water bill, and help the local community. Installing faucet aerators on your faucets will filter and reduce the amount of water that you use in the kitchen, bathroom, and other rooms. Wait until you have a full load of laundry before you wash your clothes and wait until your dishwasher is full before washing dishes.
This will save you money on the monthly bill. Install a rain barrel outside to catch water when it rains that can be used to water your garden or lawn. Try to limit showers to 10 to 15 minutes.
Ways to Cut Down on Electricity
Plug your computers, electronic devices, and TV into power strips and turn them off when not in use. This will save you on your monthly electricity bill. When you leave a room, turn off the lights in the room. Buy new appliances and invest in appliances that have an Energy Star rating.
These appliances use less water and electricity and are designed to help you save on utilities. Open the windows and let natural sunlight warm up the interior of the house and provide light and reduce heating and electricity costs. Adding solar film to your windows can reduce the amount of heat that comes in during the hot weather and the loss of heat in the colder weather.
Ways to Cut Down on Food Waste
Finding ways to cut down on food waste saves you money and improves the environment. Plan your meals ahead and only shop for what you need. Try to use fresh fruit and vegetables quickly and store them properly. Organize your refrigerator and freezer so you know what is in them. Save leftovers and have a meal with your family one night, using up all the leftovers. Try to make a weekly menu and make a shopping list before you go to the store.
Use Recycled Materials
Reclaimed or recycled wood has a lower impact on the environment. Buying used or antique furniture is a viable option because trees are not cut down to make the furniture. Did you know it takes more than 40 trees to build a normal home and takes only four recycled steel cars to build a 2,000 sq ft. house? Reclaimed wood or using other materials cuts down on waste.
Wood cabinets for the kitchen made of cherry, oak, pine, maple, or mahogany will last years and are good for the environment. Using recycled or regular bricks to build a wall, part of a house, or fireplace is environmentally friendly because they do not emit toxins into the air.
Steel is a recycled material that most consumers do not know about. In fact, about 40% of steel production uses recycled metal. Steel is used in building high rises apartments, hospitals, banks, and other structures. Recycled Steel is used to make tools, cars, ships, machinery, and appliances, thus making recycling it environmentally useful.
Eco-friendly Fencing Options
Adding a fence to your property can be eco-friendly and give your family more privacy. Using eco-friendly materials to construct the fence when having it installed will improve its value and make the environment safer. Eco-friendly materials are wood, bamboo, stone, reclaimed wood, and metal. According to IBIS World, there are over 56,795 companies that do fence installation in the United States. So you’ll be able to find a company that uses eco-friendly materials with no problem.
These are some ways to save money by making eco-friendly changes in your home. It will make your home safer for your family, friends, and neighborhood.
