Simple Things You Can Do to Have an Eco-friendlier Home

Most people understand that our modern society puts tremendous strain on our environment in many ways. Even those that don’t can usually agree that the more efficient and less wasteful our homes and businesses are, the better. If you are concerned about the footprint your home is leaving, you’re already part of the solution. You don’t have to be an eco-activist to make a difference! There are several small changes and inexpensive upgrades you can make to run an eco-friendly home.

Don’t Waste Electricity-Avoid “Vampire Power”

Every safe home should have an electrical disconnect switch to fully turn power off in an emergency. Every energy-efficient home should have an electrical disconnect attitude. Let’s face it, in the age of smartphones, tablets, and handheld gaming devices, we all have scores and scores of chargers. Many of us have them conveniently located in different rooms of the house, and many of us never unplug them. This leads to a concept known as “vampire power” where you’re wasting electricity (and paying for it) without it providing any benefit. Plug your chargers into power strips, and when you’re not using them, flip the switch to turn them off. Then, don’t forget to unplug them. These simple steps may add 10 seconds, if not less, to the time it takes to plug in your device when you need it and can add up to big energy savings when you don’t.

Pay Attention to Your Windows

You can lose a lot of heat and cool air through unsealed windows, especially in an older home. This means your furnace and air conditioner must work harder to heat and cool your home. This means, again, more energy wasted, more strain on the environment, and more cash out of your wallet. It’s worth visiting with a contractor and getting a quote for new windows or window treatments that can help. Some states have even offered tax incentives to modernize your windows. If you can’t afford an upgrade, start by closing your curtains as much as possible. It’s not a solution, but it will certainly help.

Get a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

Speaking of your furnace and air conditioner, think about how much energy they waste heating and cooling your house when you’re not at home! It’s understandable to not want to change the temperature when you leave and wait half an hour for it to get comfortable when you change it back. Luckily, there’s an easy and inexpensive solution for this: programmable thermostats! A programmable thermostat will allow you to set a timer to raise or lower the temperature when you leave, and then start to heat up or cool down at a time you specify before you get home. These are easy to find and easy to install. If you want to go a step further, upgrade to a smart thermostat that will “learn” your habits and “follow” you throughout the house. In other words, it can sense when people are typically home, and which rooms they are usually in. Depending on your setup, it can even divert energy from one room to another.

Switch to LED Light Bulbs

You probably replace most of your light bulbs once every year or two. What if you could replace your standard incandescent light bulb with one that was 50 times more efficient, lasting around 11 years on average? You can and you should. LED light bulbs are slightly more expensive, but worth it. For a once-a-decade charge up front, you can outfit your home with lights that burn less energy, burn out more slowly, and often provide more pleasant lighting-all benefits that pay dividends on your investment. LED bulbs were once a specialty item, but they can now be found at almost any hardware store or retail superstore.

We all share the earth with each other and all future generations. Little things we do to help the environment add up to big differences. Get started with these tips today!