Being eco-friendly doesn’t mean just participating in a recycling program. There are other ways that you can be eco-friendly. Being eco-friendly not only helps the environment, but it can also save you money. Let’s go over some easy ways your home came become eco-friendly.
1. Switch over to LED bulbs
If you haven’t already, switching from incandescent bulbs or even CFL bulbs can save you lots of money on your energy bill. LEDs use a lot less power to generate a lot more light, and you can get them in a variety of colors! They even make Edison-style bulbs out of long LEDs. LED light bulbs can also last a lot longer than traditional bulbs, and they don’t get as hot, so you’ll also reap the benefit of additional safety by switching to LED.
2. Fix that leak
Everyone seems to have a problem with a leaking toilet, leaking shower, or leaking faucet. What can just be an inconvenience to you can actually be wasting resources and driving up your bill. This is especially the case if you live in an area currently experiencing a drought. Time to call the plumber!
3. Unplug electronics that aren’t in use
Did you know that even if electronics aren’t on they can still draw power from your grid? That means all your chargers that aren’t in use are helping to slowly drive up your electrical usage, further wasting resources. If you have a TV that never gets used, or a video game console that’s sitting dormant, unplug it! You’d be surprised what kind of money you can save.
4. Hang your clothes instead of using the dryer
We often forget that many people used to hang clothes out to dry before the invention of the personal clothes dryer. This is still a tried and true method, and it’s totally free! Hang all of your clothing, or just the bulky items like towels and blankets, out to dry in the sun and save yourself the extra drying cycle. If you don’t have anywhere to hang clothes, invest in a clothes drying line to help you out. There’s even umbrella style lines that fold up when you’re not using them.
5. Tune up your Toilet
There are a variety of ways that you can reduce the amount of water that your toilet uses including purchasing a low-flow toilet. One method is putting a plastic bottle filled with water in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used per flush (if you can’t replace your toilet). Make sure to check it for leaks as well!
What do you do in your home to stay green? Let us know in the comments below!
