Eco-Friendly Tips for the Home

Global warming, energy deficiency, and other environmental issues have become considerable concerns lately. Living eco-friendly conserves natural resources and energy. Although it may sound difficult and costly, there are many inexpensive ways to make your residence greener while also saving time and money.

1. Switch your lights to LED or CFL standard

Light emitting diode(LED) and compact fluorescent lamp(CFL) consume 70% less energy than standard incandescent lights. They also last 10 to 25 times longer. Although costly in the beginning, you will not need to buy new bulbs for a few years.

2. Set temperatures correctly

Your air conditioner and refrigerator are the largest consumers of electrical energy in your home. Energy saving temperature for your freezer is about -3 F and refrigerator is around 37 F. During the winter, keep your indoor temperature around 65 F during the day and 55 F at night. For summer, set your thermostat at 78 F.

3. Install Solar Panels

In the US, the average house consumes 1 kW (kilowatt) of electricity per hour. An average monthly bill would be around $73 for 730 kWh of electricity. However, the 3kW solar panel system will create 450 kWh per month, covering more than a half of your monthly energy usage. Solar panel systems are a long-term investment and provide you with clean and eco-friendly electricity.

4. Grow Plants inside your house

Indoor plants act as air filters and reduce toxic compounds. They also decrease background noise and maintain a low air temperature. Some of the best indoor plants are spider plants, Boston ferns, rubber plants and palm trees.

5. Skip the bottled water

Save money and reduce container waste, by using water filters to purify tap water rather than purchasing bottled water.