In honour of Earth Day, we’re highlighting sustainable living and sharing easy ways to go green at home. By making some of these small changes you can create an eco-friendly home that will reduce your family’s environmental footprint.
Turn down the Thermostat
Leaving the heat or air conditioning on while you’re away is not only hazardous to the environment but it’s also harmful to your energy bill. During the summer months, you can also conserve energy by drawing your curtains or blinds to keep your home cool instead of turning up the air conditioning. Consider purchasing a thermostat that can be controlled through your smart phone or tablet so you can watch the temperature of your home in real time.
Update Your Newspaper Subscription
Technological advancements have made everything available at our fingertips, so it doesn’t necessarily make sense to keep up your newspaper subscription when you go out of town. Switching your traditional print subscriptions to digital subscriptions before a vacation is both inexpensive and environmentally friendly. You can still stay in the loop while you’re away from home by going green, and catching up on your news via your smart phone or tablet.
Purchase a Houseplant
Modern home furnishings and even your carpet can contain more chemicals and trap more dust than you realize. These air pollutants and odors build up in your home and cause asthma and sinus irritation. By purchasing air-purifying houseplants, these toxins will be absorbed by the plants in a natural way. Plants like; Philodendron, Bamboo Palms, Boston Ferns, Aloe Vera and Cactus are great indoor plants to add to any room.
Visit a Farmers’ Market
Buying local is not only healthy for you; it’s also healthier for the environment. Read the labels on fruits and vegetables to guarantee they are grown domestically or visit your local farmers’ market. Also consider avoiding foods that are stored in unnecessary packaging, like pre-cut or pre-peeled produce.
Invest in Efficient Landscaping
Floral beds, large plants and trees work all year round to help you stay ecologically friendly. Plants are sophisticated organisms that grow foliage in the summer months, which provide shade from the heat and naturally cool down your home, allowing you to forgo turning up the air conditioning. In the winter months, trees will shed their leaves, allowing the sun to shine through their branches into your home, keeping you warm in the cold months of winter, preventing you from having to turn up the heat.
Save Water While You Garden
A lot of water is required to keep up a lavish garden. Instead of using a hose to water your garden, collect rainwater in a large barrel at the side of your home or create your own drip irrigation system. These systems are easy to build and save you time in the long run. You can use recycled pop bottles for smaller sections of your garden, and fill them with the rainwater collected from the barrel. These bottles will allow you to water deep in the ground, ensuring your plants are kept healthy throughout the season.
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