Aiming for an Environmentally Friendly Lifestyle: 10 Tips to follow.

1996
Green city illustration

Being environmentally friendly simply means being conscious about conserving our natural resources and using them sustainably in order to provide a better future for our future generations. It doesn’t mean you have to change your lifestyle dramatically but to take small steps towards looking after the earth, doing our part in promoting sustainability. Starting at a personal level means learning to make different choices in order to be more aware and environmentally conscious. Every big action starts with a small step. Making your lifestyle and even your home more environmentally friendly is the way forward. Here are some ways to make your home more environmentally friendly.

Keep a check on your water use

Our mind usually goes towards energy consumption when we talk about sustainability. Having a holistic approach towards being eco-friendly is the first step in changing your lifestyle. Keeping a check on unnecessary water consumption is important. Small activities can help save a huge amount of water, such as turning the water off while brushing your teeth or fixing any leaks that you may have in the house.  Taking shorter showers or better yet, installing a low flow showerhead can help save a huge amount of water in the long run.

Use energy-efficient lights

Light bulbs that are energy-efficient have been in the market for quite some time, but people have recently started understanding the importance of making the switch to these light bulbs. Options such as CFL, LED and incandescent light bulbs provide you with the same amount of light with at least 50% less energy consumption. Not only does it cut your electricity bill down, but also is an environmentally friendly way of saving energy. These lights also have the benefit of lasting longer than other lights.

Get a smart meter installed

Smart meters help out in drastically decreasing your carbon footprint on the world. Smart meters make it possible for you to see how much energy you use and when you use it most.  It not only eradicates the unpredictability of approximate billing but is also programmable to turn on only a few times in the day. For example, programming the meter to turn on heat half an hour before you come home and switch off an hour before you have to leave.

Install a rainwater tank

Rainwater is a natural and valuable resource that can help drastically reduce water bills as well as gives us an alternative option for water during restrictions. Installing a collection tank is relatively inexpensive and provides continuous benefits. Rainwater can be used for a variety of household and domestic uses. People in every household use a large supply of water every year for cleaning utensils, bathing, flushing and washing clothes. All these things can be done by using rainwater that is harvested as well. It is not only beneficial to the environment but also promotes self-sufficiency.

Install solar panels

Solar panels are the most popular feature for any person who wants to convert to an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle. Despite being a long-term investment, solar panels provide you with clean and efficient energy. Solar lights are now less costly than a lot of grid systems and the solar-powered LED lights last longer than conventional lights. They are also considered to be more effective than a lot of fluorescent lamps. You can even take it one step ahead and talk to your neighbors and society association about getting solar lighting installed for the streets as well. This will provide an energy-efficient alternative not only for your house but for your surroundings as well.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

These three R’s are taught to us in grade school but are extremely effective when used properly. They are an integral part of sustainable living, helping us cut down on the amount of waste that we generate and throw away each day. Reduce the amount of waste you produce by only buying essential items, items that can be reused easily, or items with less packaging. Reuse small things such as bringing your own bottle from home rather than buying a plastic one, ditching plastic bags for jute bags for when you go grocery shopping, etc. Recycle the products that you use such as repurposing items such as glass, cardboard and aluminum.

Insulate

Insulating your house can be an effective way of saving energy consumption. It improves your house’s eco-friendliness making sure that you use as little energy as possible. There are a lot of places in your house that can be fitted for good insulation, helping you retain the heat in the house, rather than having to burn more energy in constantly reheating your home. You can even use stylish rugs to help insulate your home and to keep air from slipping in through the cracks of your floor. Double glazing your windows and other methods of insulation can be used for your homes.

Composting

Composting indoors is a simple practice that is a huge step towards sustainable living. It promotes a greener lifestyle and effectively reduces waste. It is highly cost-effective and has the ability to produce top-quality plant food for your gardens. Any organic material going through the process of decomposition is called compost. Composting can highly reduce the amount of waste that we produce and even our small kitchen scraps can help reduce climate change.

Use natural cleaning products

Many cleaning products contain harsh and harmful chemicals. Whenever we wash them away, it directly goes out into the main water supply, contaminating it. The water needs to go through a stronger purification process before being safe for use again. There are a lot of environmentally friendly companies offering cleaning solutions that are shipped without plastic and use green ingredients. You can also use natural ingredients such as vinegar and citrus to clean your homes.

Being environmentally friendly is like adopting a lifestyle. Bringing these small changes in your life will not only make you feel more environmentally conscious but will also provide you with a sustainable lifestyle.