It is good news that many people across the world are becoming more environmentally-conscious. Being more eco-friendly will not only help you contribute to a sustainable environment but it can even save you money.As we are in the midst of a climate crisis — it’s no longer ‘climate change’, the change is here and we’re now in a crisis.
Scientists are now saying that we’re in “uncharted territory”, owing to the billions of tonnes of CO2 that we pump into the atmosphere every year.”
Without a doubt, the vast majority of this planet-wide pollution is caused by surprisingly few people and companies: one-third of all greenhouse gases are caused by just 20 fossil fuel companies, according to The Guardian.
We’ll see real change when these companies step up and take responsibility, rather than just paying us lip service, but in the meantime, you can still do your bit.
It sounds like us making changes in our lives to be more environmentally-conscious won’t make a difference, and it won’t — unless we all rally together on this.
And so, we at Clean Corp Atlanta suggest the following changes you can do in your home that will not only benefit your family, but also the environment around you.
Eco-friendly home Services in Atlanta
1. Get a solid grasp on water
When we consider the word ‘sustainability’ we often consider that it only relates to energy consumption. But being truly eco-friendly means taking a holistic approach, so you’ll need to get serious about saving water.
Firstly, take the time to fix any leaks. Even if there are no leaks there are plenty of lifestyle changes you can make to save water. For example, you should ensure that you don’t run the tap when you brush your teeth or shave. It’s also a good idea to install a low-flow shower-head – these have been shown to save up to 160,000 liters of water for a family of four.
2. Install a smart meter for your home system
Your heating is one of the biggest ways that you use energy. And it can be very easy, especially during the winter months, to leave your heating on for longer than you strictly need it. This can lead to a lot of both wasted energy and wasted money. The best way to combat this is to have a smart meter installed. Smart meters can be programmed so that they only turn on at certain times of the day – for example, beginning to heat up just before you get home, and shutting off an hour or so before you leave the house. Smart meters can are a must for anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint and decrease their energy bills.
3. Light the Right Kind of Lightbulbs
I recently read some articles on how to run an eco-friendly household. One of the most important things that they need to do is invest in the right lightbulbs. More efficient CFLs are better alternatives to older, incandescent bulbs.
Energy efficient light bulbs have been around for a long time, but it really has taken a significant amount of time for many people to come around to the idea. Ultimately, though, it really makes a lot of sense to make the switch. Not only do energy efficient bulbs use less electricity, they also last longer, which means you don’t have to spend money replacing them.
4. Go fully solar or partial is also good
Solar panels are an essential feature for any eco home.
Providing you with completely clean electricity they can sometimes even make enough energy to allow you to sell some back to the grid. Solar panels are certainly a long-term investment and it has been suggested that it will take around 20 years for you to break even depending on where you live. But remember this is not just a monetary investment – it’s an opportunity to be eco-friendly.
5. Prioritize Natural Cleaning Products because most dirt/ stains are also natural
Using harmful chemicals to clean is very bad for the environment. When you wash them away you are simply putting them into the water supply. That means water will take more purification before it is safe to use again. But the good news is that in the majority of cases you really don’t need to use them. For most day-to-day cleaning tasks, natural cleaning products like vinegar, citric acid from citrus fruits and bicarbonate of soda can be used in place of caustic chemicals to great effect.
6. Cover, keep, and Insulate your home
One of the smartest ways to improve your home’s eco-friendliness is to ensure that you use as little energy as possible.
Investing in insulation is a great way to do this. Good insulation helps hold in the heat, meaning you don’t need to burn energy reheating the home all of the time. There are plenty of places that can and should be insulated including within the walls and in the roof. It can also be smart to consider double glazing any windows that don’t already have it.
Also, consider covering any exposed hardwood floors in southwest area rugs. Area rugs are a cost-effective and stylish way to help insulate your home and prevent air from slipping out through the cracks in your floors.
7. If You Cook Efficiently and Smartly, You can Cook consciously
It’s easy to be smarter in the kitchen, which can lead to a far more eco-friendly home.
One important example is that you can lose a huge amount of heat if you open an oven door during cooking. Even if the oven is only open for a short time it will then need to use a significant amount of energy heating back up.
Another big problem is the coffee pods waste. They could be contributing to a global environmental disaster, with billions of the sleek aluminum and plastic capsules ending up in landfill in America each year. Drink your coffee from a conventional drip coffee maker.