8 Cost-Efficient Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home

Most people think that going green entails inconvenient and expensive lifestyle changes, but there are actually cost-efficient modifications you can make to lessen your personal impact on the environment, and you can start right away at home. It is also crucial that every business do its part in safeguarding our natural resources. At Booth & Partners, we discourage single-use plastics, take part in environmental discussions, and participate in community initiatives spearheaded by our partner organizations.

For starters, reducing your home’s negative impact on the planet is no easy feat, although you can start with the littlest and simplest things to get you going. We have rounded up a list of energy-saving and sustainable changes you can rustle up to make your journey towards an eco-friendly home much easier, and you can finally take that huge step to a healthier lifestyle.

Replace Your Bulbs

Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs put the traditional incandescent lighting to shame. Not only are CFLs more energy-efficient (they use about 70% less energy), they can also last years, or even decades, longer than the standard light bulb we all remember from our childhoods.

Unplug Unused Electronics

Your TVs alone are typically left on standby for most of the day. Even turned off, appliances keep drawing power. The simplest way to eliminate power losses and save the planet in just seconds is to unplug electronics when not in use. Instead of unplugging things one at a time, you can opt for power strips to switch off all the devices at once—really, truly, actually off.

Use Bamboo Instead of Wood

Bamboo is tough to beat as a durable and sturdy alternative to hardwood flooring. Its environmental benefits arise largely out of its ability to grow quickly without the need for fertilizers, pesticides, or much water. A bamboo grove also releases some 35% more oxygen into the air than a similar-sized stand of trees. Apart from the flooring, you can also use bamboo for scaffolding, creating furniture, and other accessories.

Compost Kitchen Scraps

There will always be scraps of food to throw away at the end of a meal. And the benefits of composting far outweigh simple waste reduction. Not only does it increase water retention and drainage of the soil, but it also helps keep weeds down and adds nutrients to the garden. A study from the University of Washington found that food waste in landfills is one of the leading causes of methane, but composting prevents the food’s decomposition and subsequent release of greenhouse gases.

Clean and Disinfect with Vinegar

For stay-at-home moms, vinegar is some sort of a liquid elixir, and its uses are literally never-ending. Aside from adding an amazing taste to salads and snacks, vinegar is often used in laundry and household cleaning. It can be used on surfaces such as glass, windows, walls, cupboards, floors, sinks, and coffee makers. But it shouldn’t be applied on surfaces like natural stone, waxed wood, cast iron, or aluminum.

Grow Houseplants

Indoor plants are proven to have a plethora of health benefits that can help cultivate a greener lifestyle and healthy happy vibes at home. They purify the air by removing toxins, help prevent sickness, as well as relieve stress and anxiety. Having houseplants creates a relaxed environment where you can work better through increased productivity and enriched overall well-being, especially in difficult times like this.

Fix Leaky Toilets and Faucets

Leaky toilets and dripping faucets waste thousands of gallons of water per household every year—a costly mistake for your wallet and the environment. The longer you pay little or no attention to these problems, the more financial setbacks you will face in the future. Call a plumber ASAP. It will also help to install a low-flow toilet as flushing accounts for 30% of total indoor water use.

Stop Buying Plastic

There are times when doing the dishes may seem like a demanding task and purchasing plastic plates and utensils might be the easy way out. But single-use products do more harm to the environment than good. Mountains of plastic trash can be found everywhere from oceans to the highest mountains, and the use of plastic is already taking its toll on different kinds of species on Earth. Make the switch from disposable plastic to sustainable alternatives and you will be surprised how much you can save and positively contribute to the long-term future of our environment.

An eco-friendly home equates to a happy home. With environmental challenges such as global warming, pollution, climate change, and deforestation, among others, plaguing the communities we live in, it is crucial to take a conscious step towards protecting and preserving our natural resources. And the reality is we can start this cause from within our own homes. Apply these energy-saving and sustainable changes that will prove you can definitely live green without having to compromise style and comfort.