Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle is something many people do selflessly in an effort to protect the environment and ensure the generations to come have a healthy planet at their disposal.
But that same lifestyle can also pay instant dividends, helping homeowners save money and creating a healthier atmosphere in which to live. Homeowners can make several manageable changes around the house that can protect the environment without disrupting one's current lifestyle.
Clean green
Instead of using harmful chemical cleaners when cleaning around the house, choose green cleaning supplies that don't release harmful chemicals or toxins into the air.
Paint with the planet in mind
Homeowners with painting on their to-do list should choose no- or low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints.
Fix those drafts
Chances are, at this point in a long winter, homeowners are well aware of which rooms were warm and which might have had drafts. Visit those colder rooms and plug any air leaks around the house. This will result in a lower heating bill and could save substantial amounts of energy. For homeowners with attics, checking the attic for air infiltration should be done each and every year.
Explore alternative landscaping methods
Xeriscaping, a style of landscape design that requires little or no irrigation, can save significant amounts of water. If xeriscaping is a viable alternative, homeowners will save water while also reducing the use of potentially harmful pesticides and chemicals commonly used to keep lawns looking lush.
Go low-flow
If replacing shower heads, faucets or even toilets is on the to-do list, replace existing fixtures with low-flow models to save water and money.
Shop for sustainable materials
Sustainable flooring is growing in popularity now that going green has truly taken off. Search for wood that has been harvested in an environmentally friendly way. Sustainable flooring materials include bamboo and cork, which many homeowners find as aesthetically appealing as it is eco-friendly.
Double it up
Single-pane windows not only allow lots of external noise into the house, but they also contribute to heat loss in the winter, forcing residents to turn up the thermostat and waste more energy as a result. Installing double-pane windows will keep more external noise at bay and allow homeowners to minimize heat loss in the winter.
Unplug the appliances
Perhaps nothing around the house silently uses energy as much as a plugged-in appliance that's not being used. Certain estimates suggest as much as 40 per cent of a monthly utility bill is going toward powering home appliances that are turned off. While every home is different, it's a safe bet most homes can save energy by simply unplugging appliances that aren't in use.
-- Postmedia News
