Going eco-friendly in our homes is a great way to do our part in helping the environment. It is much simpler than you think and doesn’t require you to stray too far from the norm! Since you spend the most amount of time in your home, it is the best place to start.

Sustainability is a rising trend which is making it easier for home owners to transform their living spaces. Follow along this post to find new ways to make your home environmentally friendly.

Cosmetic Changes

The first steps you can make in your home to make it more eco-friendly are cosmetic. Cosmetic changes are surface upgrades that are cost-efficient and don’t require much work on your end.

Start with adding house plants around your home! Plants will bring your home a fresh and lively look. Not only will they be beautiful new decorations, but soil from indoor plants is known for cleaning the air of toxic substances.

The second step is to switch your light bulbs to LED. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED light bulbs use 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting. These will also lower your electricity bills (a win-win)! Practice turning off the lights whenever you leave the room as well.

When painting rooms in your home, use eco-paints. Holland Homes can help you find the right colors and paint for any room in the house.

The next way you can conserve energy in your home is by installing energy efficient windows. These windows are designed to prevent heated or cooled air from escaping your home. They will decrease your home’s overall energy usage.

Appliance Changes

Our appliances are using up most of the energy in our homes and you would be shocked to see how much of that is going to waste! Don’t continue to pay for lost air and energy in your home.

Look for low-energy appliances labeled “energy star-qualified”. These appliances use 10%-50% less energy than the standard models. This can be washers, dryers, refrigerators and freezers.

Best Life suggests that homeowners should consider insulating their heating ducts if they aren’t already. 30 percent of air is lost due to leaks in your duct system. Insulating your heating ducts will prevent air from escaping, wasting energy and lowering your heating bills.

Is your thermostat out of date? Programmable thermostats will effectively monitor your heating and cooling throughout the home. These will prevent excessive use of your heat and air systems, in turn cutting down the cost of your electricity bills and conserving energy.

Moving into the bathrooms of your home, there are many fixes you can make. Low flow toilets consume no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush. A normal toilet can use 3 to 7 gallons per flush.

Next, a low-flow showerhead uses a half gallon less than a normal showerhead. In a family of 4, you can save up to 160,000 liters of water per year by making this switch. Also, try to take more showers than baths to save water.

Bamboo flooring is an alternative to the typical hardwood. It is a renewable source, growing much faster than timberwood which makes it more eco-friendly. It is typically around the same price as hardwood flooring as well.

Personal Changes

Now that you are aware of changes you can make around the house through appliances and cosmetics, there are ways your family can help too. Making your home environmentally friendly doesn’t have to be hard, it just requires a level of awareness.

Starting in the kitchen, you can switch to glass, ceramic or silicone cookware that is more energy efficient. Second, don’t pre-wash your dishes, only run the dishwasher when it is full and air dry your dishes. You can also consider composting your kitchen scraps to reduce the amount of waste in your home.

Moving onto the bedroom, you can begin with purchasing organic sheets that are sustainable. It may be time for you to reevaluate your mattress as well. Purchase a new mattress that has not been treated with synthetic chemicals and toxic materials. If you typically use spray fragrances, opt in to essential oils and non aerosol scents.

Lastly – the bathrooms of the house. Make them environmentally friendly with recycled toilet paper, open windows and watch how long you keep the faucet running.

Small changes make a big difference and the first place to start is in your own home! Make your home environmentally friendly with these simple, cost-efficient tips. At Holland Homes, we are dedicated to bringing your vision to life! If you need help remodeling your home to be eco-friendly, contact Holland Homes today at 334-332-7157.