If you’re reading this then you’ve probably noticed it. The leaves don’t fall at the right time anymore. Heat and cold waves seem to come at random and for weeks at a time. With every passing year, the world is getting less predictable and more chaotic. Danger seems to loom.
There are many like you who, amidst climate anxiety, wonder what — if anything — they can do to help the environment. Know that all hope is not lost, and the decisions people make today will make a difference tomorrow. Thankfully, there are quite a few ways you can do your part to steer the future in a better direction. And a good amount of it involves maximizing your home’s sustainability.
Consider Alternative Power…
It’s hard to discuss home sustainability without addressing energy consumption. Because the energy your house uses on a daily basis accounts for a big chunk of your carbon footprint. So the more sources of green energy (read: renewables) you can leverage, the better. Thankfully, tapping into green energy is easier today than it’s ever been.
There are plenty of options like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Solar, specifically, has been one of the leading renewable energy sources, rapidly gaining popularity and investment worldwide. Its prominence stems from factors such as decreasing costs of solar panels, technological advancements in storage solutions, and increasing environmental awareness.
You may be hesitant to install solar panels because of the upfront installation cost, but leasing solar panels is a modern solution to this obstacle. Leasing spreads out the initial investment over time. And keep in mind that these panels can decrease your reliance on electricity from the grid, which can also cut costs. Really, each sunny day that goes by without solar panels is a day you’re leaving clean energy and money on the table. Don’t let your roof soak up all those glorious rays like a sun-drunk lizard in July. Slap some panels up there to help the planet!
And Find Ways to Use it Wisely
The next step after addressing how you generate your home’s energy is to consider how you spend it. Because even carbon footprint-slashing tech like solar panels won’t give you limitless power (at least not yet). Temperatures are getting more extreme each year, which means there are greater energy demands to keep your home conditioned at a stable temperature. To address this increasing concern, consider upgrading your home with a smart thermostat.
Unlike traditional thermostats, start thermostats connect to WiFi to keep your home feeling just right. You can program these thermostats to meet your heating and cooling needs based on certain data. For example, this smart tech can adapt to your schedule, learning to turn off or on when someone leaves or returns. This significantly reduces energy use when no one is home for long periods of time.
You can also control a smart thermostat remotely from your phone. That way you can override pre-programmed commands in case your schedule suddenly changes. If you do decide to invest in a smart thermostat, just make sure your HVAC system can connect. You can go to your conditioner’s company site or hire an HVAC technician to see if your device is applicable. Installing a smart thermostat is a great way to reduce your overall energy consumption while keeping your home nice and conditioned.
Conserve Water Too
Water is something that people use every single day. It’s essential for life and for many of life’s daily activities. But as temperatures rise, more and more freshwater systems like lakes, rivers, and reservoirs are drying up. Thus, water conservation is becoming ever more important. Thankfully, there are actually quite a few devices you can upgrade that will help significantly cut back on water use.
Both washing clothes and the dishes, while essential cleaning, can consume a large amount of water. Trade out your old washers for modern, high-efficiency, ENERGY-STAR-rated models. Likewise, change out your old toilets for low-flow systems with dual-flush options. This will allow you to use less water for liquid waste and more for solid. Low-flow faucets and showerheads can also significantly cut back on your use of the crystal clear stuff.
Finally, make the time and investment in investigating and repairing any systemic faults in your pipes. Old, leaky pipes not only waste water but can compromise the sanitation and structural integrity of your home. While you’re in the midst of investigating and overhauling your energy systems, consider installing a rain catch too. Like solar panels, this will allow you to supplement your needs with natural resources.
Embrace a Sustainable Mindset
There’s no one right way to improve your home’s level of sustainability, but there are plenty of options. A lot of ways to be more sustainable have to do with meeting your energy demands with more renewable sources. At the same time, you also want to reduce those needs as much as possible. This may mean, at times, sacrificing comfort and convenience or paying a little more for sustainable products. But the reward is knowing that you’re doing your part to steer humanity toward a brighter future.