Reduce, reuse, recycle - these are just some of the many ways you can make your home more sustainable while minding climate change.
From simple changes like switching to LED light bulbs to more complex solutions like installing solar panels, there are many steps you can take to make your home more sustainable. Taking the time to research and invest in sustainable practices can help you to save money on utility bills while also being kind to the environment. However, let’s first talk about what sustainability means and how it can help you and future generations!
Well, to be sustainable is a must-have that we all need to think about daily in order to diminish the climate change problem. It’s a lifestyle that will help us, the environment, and future generations! You also need to be aware that your actions have consequences – so why don’t you try and leave something good behind? As Patrick Dixon, a futurist, once said: “The key to understanding the future is one word: sustainability.”
And guess what? Sustainability will also reduce your expenses. So let me tell you how to make your home more sustainable! After all, who doesn't love saving money and the world at the same time?
1. Solar Panels
You’re probably familiar with solar panels and renewable energy and the power industry - what they’re about and how they look. What I want you to think about though is what are the possible benefits of having solar panels and renewable energy installed in your homes. Among those benefits is the fact that the CO2 footprint is minimized. Solar technology and renewable energy have improved dramatically over time. Early solar cells had an efficiency of just 1%, while today's solar panels are now hitting the 25% mark and above. Solar panels installed in the average five-kilowatt residential system can reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by more than 15,000 pounds annually.
Installing solar panels not only helps reduce our carbon (CO2) footprint but also helps lower energy costs, a double win for the environment and your pocketbook. So, why not make the switch today and do your part to ensure a cleaner and more efficient future? Let’s face it – we all can benefit from this. Additionally, solar energy and systems can also increase the value of a property. For example, in California, the value of a home can increase by around $6,000 for each kilowatt of solar capacity. So what are you waiting for? Make the switch and increase your property value today! With solar energy and renewable energy, you can be the talk of your neighborhood. Who knows, you might even get a free cup of coffee from your neighbor for being so eco-friendly!
But wait - while solar panels are a great way to be more sustainable, they also have some drawbacks. Solar panels are a significant upfront investment, and it can take years to recoup that investment through lower energy bills. Solar panels also require regular maintenance to keep them functioning properly. Also, they can be harmful to animals. Solar farms can cause waterbirds to collide with the panels, resulting in injury or death. Solar panels can also make it difficult for waterbirds to take off from non-water surfaces, leaving them stranded without food, water, or shelter.
So, you have to consider both sides of the conversation - and decide if investing in solar panels is worth it for you.
2. Smart Thermostats
You may wonder how these smart thermostats work. Well, they are usually placed on your heating stations and will analyze and help you determine where and how the energy is wasted. Pretty cool, right? It’s fast and easy to use, and the best part? The majority of smart thermostats have apps. Meaning - you are just a click away from being greener. Some smart features that I find useful are that it can detect when a window is open and stop the heating in that room. It can also see when you are not home and switch the heating off. And, you can also set different temperatures based on your preferences. And let’s not forget that it is cost-efficient!
While all of these features are great, there are also some potential downsides to using a smart thermostat. One downside is that if your internet goes out, you may not be able to control your thermostat. Additionally, smart thermostats can be more expensive than traditional thermostats.
3. Smart switches
Another cost-efficient device that will make your home more sustainable and will take care of the climate change problem is the smart switch. They not only look great but also provide an added layer of convenience and energy savings.
How many times have you wondered if you switched off the lights or simply forgot them on? This is what they are used for! Smart switches allow you to control your lights and other appliances from your phone or a voice assistant. By setting schedules or using motion sensors, you can make sure that lights and other devices are only running when they are needed. This can help reduce energy usage and save money on your energy bills.
Smart switches can also help the environment by allowing you to reduce your energy usage. By having lights and other devices only running when they are needed, you can minimize your energy consumption and reduce your carbon (CO2) footprint. In addition, some smart switches come with motion sensors that can detect when you enter a room, turning lights and other devices on automatically and turning them off when you leave, further reducing energy usage.
4. Recycle
And by recycling, I don't simply mean your garbage. Taking care of the climate change problem can also be done with the help of recycling also means using used furniture or remodeling your old one. Don’t just throw away anything! Maybe instead try to donate them. Let’s not forget the old saying - one man's trash is another man's treasure. Recycle your batteries and anything you possibly can. Why? Because it reduces the need to grow, harvest, and extract raw material from Earth.
This helps preserve natural resources and reduce pollution, as the energy needed to create something new is much greater than the energy needed to reuse or repurpose something. By reusing items that would have otherwise gone to landfills, we are also reducing the amount of waste going to landfills.
5. Compost station
In case you haven’t heard of this - let me give you some composting 101. For starters, composting is the process in which you recycle organic matter - food, leaves, and scraps. A compost station doesn't necessarily need to be bought. You can use an old bucket and just put a lid on top. Why is composting useful? It cuts Methane Emissions From Landfills, while also conserving water. To be specific, composting can reduce this amount of methane produced in landfills by up to 40%, while also reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and creating a nutrient-rich soil amendment!
And that’s not all! Composting also helps to conserve resources, as it reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills. Also, as we said before, the amount of methane produced in landfills decreases, as the organic matter is decomposed by microorganisms. This decomposition process also produces rich humus, which can be used as a natural fertilizer to improve soil fertility and help plants grow more quickly and healthily.
Let’s try and leave behind something that can be called a home. A planet that still has some resources. Climate change is happening and we need to try and be more sustainable for the sake of this planet.
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