Green – a word that can indicate envy or inexperience, it can conjure up a frog named Kermit, or immature fruit.
It’s also a descriptor of a lifestyle that is concerned with environmentalism.
While many Americans take this concern to the max, others adopt pieces of a green lifestyle. This way, they can do their part to help the environment while saving money in the process.
A Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) study found that more than 40% of us will purchase green products for our homes. If you’re among this group, read on to learn three easy ways to make your life at home a bit greener.
The Advantages of Going Green
It is essential to have a solid understanding of the advantages of living a green lifestyle before beginning any green living advice. The majority of people in today’s society are reluctant to make a change in their lives because they are unsure of the benefits that will accrue to them as a result of making the change. There are a variety of positive outcomes that can result from adopting a more eco-friendly way of life.
- You save money by decreasing your electricity and water consumption.
- Make your home more durable and valuable.
- Make yourself a wise purchaser.
- Protect your entire health.
- Pollution should be reduced.
- Learn to be self-sufficient.
Taking environmentally conscious actions ensures that you will be contributing to an important cause. It gives you a feeling of having achieved something. Your decisions will bring about positive change in the globe. You are also instructing the following generation to have a similarly optimistic outlook by modeling it for them.
1. Go green when you clean
The supermarket likely carries a good number of cleaning products that bear the words “eco-friendly” or “green” on their packaging. How well do they compare to the more conventional cleaning methods?
According to the findings of a research analyst working for the Environmental Working Group named Samara Geller, “Yes, they do” (EWG). She asserts that it has been proved that these products are just as effective as conventional cleaning agents in tackling a variety of cleaning responsibilities.
But not all so-called eco-friendly products are created equal and even the experts at EWG.org admit that. In fact, they recommend that when shopping for cleaners to use in the home, ensure that they are:
- Certified by Green Seal or EcoLogo
- Fragrance-free
- Free of quaternary ammonium compounds or triclosan
Go online to the Environmental Working Group’s website to find out which cleaners they recommend.
2. Save the environment by installing a new thermostat
What are you waiting for if you haven’t familiarized yourself with programmable thermostats already? To put it simply, you will need to program in the times that you want the temperature in the home to warm or cool, and then you will need to manage what it should do while nobody is there.
Look for a “smart thermostat,” which will “learn” your heating and cooling habits and you can control it from an app.
The folks at the U.S. Department of Energy found that you could save up to 10% on cooling and heating your home just by dialing back the thermostat 7 degrees while you’re at work.
3. Save with this simple tip
What’s simpler than changing a light bulb? If you ensure that the new bulbs are ENERGY STAR® certified you’ll save up to 90% in energy consumption, according to the owner of the ENERGY STAR registered trademark, the EPA.
Take these three steps to a greener home to help protect your family, your pocketbook, and the environment.
