Nature's Real Estate
4 Actionable tips for greening your home will provide you with some simple steps that can be done to help do your part for the planet. Doing something is better than nothing!
- Change your lightbulbs to energy efficient ones. More efficient CFLs are better alternatives to older, incandescent bulbs. “The most popular light bulbs available are halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Although they can initially cost more than traditional incandescentbulbs, during their lifetime they save you money, because they use less energy.” https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/save-electricity-and-fuel/lighting-choices-save-you-money
- Save energy use by unplugging your electronics when they’re not in use. Even in standby mode they’re still consuming energy. Monitoring your heating and cooling with smart meters can also reduce energy consumption. Setting the thermostat for lower heat temperatures during sleep hours can add up to large savings both on your wallet and for the planet.
- Reduce water consumption. For years there’ve been talks about water scarcity and water being the new “gold”. Water stores have been steadily decreasing across many states in the United States, creating even water crisis in states like California. Wait until we have full loads before using our appliances like our dishwashers and washing machines. When purchasing new water fixtures for our bathrooms, we can make more conscious choices to buy “low flow fixtures” that are regulated as such and have a “watersense” label.
- Reduce waste by reusing materials like buying rechargeable batteries instead of new ones, purchasing a reusable razor instead on buying the disposable ones. Using reusable containers for food leftovers, or fabric clothes for cleaning surfaces that can be washed. When purchasing paper towels, toilet paper and/or kleenex products we can purchase brands that have a high content of recycled material.
Other small tips are to add small plants in your home to increase the oxygen and beauty of your environment. Get a carbon monoxide monitor, it just may save your life. Better insulate your home by repairing any energy leaks by caulking, sealing and re-insulating. Use non toxic home cleaners, or make your own with vinegar or baking soda. Ditch the anti bacterial dishwashing and hand soaps, new scientic evidence shows that it does more harm than good! Compost, or create your own compost. They even have automatic, electric composters on the market now! Last but not least our oceans and the marine life are dying….please stop buying plastic bottled water. Opt to use a reusable water bottle instead, there are so many good choices available. Plastic bottles and waste are not only killing the oceans with our waste but science is now showing that they’re finding micro particles of plastic in our blood.
https://www.businessinsider.com/what-drinking-plastic-does-to-your-body-2018-3
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Image by Sean Fennesy the Designer Files and butterfly image by Suju
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