Tips for Creating an Environmentally Friendly Home
With the effects of climate change being felt the world over, many households have stopped sitting on the sidelines and started doing their part for the environment. Still, when people hear about the prospect of creating an environmentally-friendly home, they often think that doing so will be a tremendous imposition and/or prove unreasonably costly. Contrary to this line of thinking, creating an eco-conscious living environment doesn’t have to be a drain on your time or put a dent in your finances. Homeowners looking to do right by the environment would be wise to take the following measures.
Buy Eco-Friendly Mattresses
The idea that conservation and comfort have to be at odds with one another is absurd. For example, a good latex mattress – or a mattress made out of other eco-friendly materials – can provide you with just as much comfort as a traditional mattress. To help every member of your entire household enjoy a guilt-free good night’s sleep, consider upgrading all the mattresses in your home to organic ones.
Invest in a Good Water Filter
It’s no secret that bottled water isn’t good for the environment. Not only do the bottles themselves produce waste, the production and transportation of bottled water also creates a fair amount of pollution. However, since tap water contains a number of elements that may prove harmful to one’s health, many of us feel trapped between a rock and a hard place. This is where a good water filter can come in handy. These filters can be attached to most faucets with relative ease and will effectively remove potentially harmful elements from any water that passes through them. For maximum effectiveness – as well as your own safety – these filters will need to be changed on a regular basis. Still, purchasing replacement filters should prove less financially strenuous than consistently buying bottled
water.
Switch to Energy-Efficient Appliances
Dependable home appliances play a significant role in the overall functionality of any household. From storing food to preparing meals to doing laundry, big-ticket appliances are nothing short of modern-day necessities. However, our most vital appliances tend to eat up the most power, which can lead to hefty energy bills and create pollution. For the sake of your household’s carbon footprint and your personal
finances, consider making the switch to energy-efficient appliances. As the name implies, these appliances use far less power than their energy-guzzling counterparts and, in many cases, are able to perform their jobs more efficiently.
Some people are hesitant to invest in energy-efficient appliances because of the perceived cost. While it’s true that energy-efficient models often come with higher price tags, they stand to save you a small fortune in energy costs over the long term. In other words, a small and temporary financial inconvenience will pay off in a big way down the line. Furthermore, the more appliances you upgrade,
the more you stand to save.
Get Energy-Efficient Windows
Most homeowners spend a substantial amount of their income on heating and cooling costs. This is particularly true for people who live in areas that are prone to extreme temperatures. There’s no denying that heating and air conditioning are necessities, but this doesn’t mean they need to be used around the clock. Installing energy-efficient windows can help you maintain consistently comfortable temperatures in your home while doing your part for the environment. Whereas traditional windows are single-paned, energy-efficient windows feature multiple panes. This makes them more effective at sealing in heated and conditioned air and preventing outside air from finding its way inside.
Additionally, to help seal in warm air throughout the winter months, consider outfitting your windows with thermal curtains. In addition to making standard windows more energy-efficient, these curtains make the perfect complement to energy-efficient windows.
As mankind’s impact on the environment becomes increasingly apparent, none of us can afford to place eco-friendliness on the backburner. However, contrary to popular misinformation, leading a greener lifestyle doesn’t have to entail upending your current one. A willingness to embrace change and accept small alterations to your daily life can go a long way in staving off environmental collapse. So, if a
greener home is what you aspire to create, take care to put the previously discussed pointers to good use.
Photography by Jacques Bopp, Ryan Christodoulou
- by Matt Watts
