More and more of us are making home choices that are better for the environment because we care more about it. The planet is in danger when CO2 levels go up, so we want to do what we can to lower them.
Estimates show that homes use about one-third of all the energy used in the world. This means that you and I can make a big difference in our carbon footprints by paying close attention to how our homes are built. Here are all the things you can do to make your home greener.
Go Small
If you have a big family, a big house is great, but if it’s just you and your partner, you might want to go for a smaller one. Smaller homes are much easier to heat in the winter because they use less energy and have less air to heat.
Insulation Is Key
According to the website Conserve Energy, about half of the energy a home uses goes toward heating and cooling. Because of this, it’s very important to spend a lot of money on thick insulation for the walls and roof. A roofer is a right person to do the work on the roof. Once you have the insulation in place, you can save up to 40% on your energy bills.
Use Building Materials That Are Good For The Environment
When it comes to taking care of the environment, we care about more than just the amount of CO2. It’s also what happens when people take things from nature to build with. Normal building materials can hurt ecosystems and the water table when they are taken out of the ground. Because of this, more and more people who care about the environment are looking for eco-friendly products that won’t hurt nature. You can build a house out of a lot of different things, like reclaimed plastic, wood, and glass.
Harvest Rainwater
Many homes, especially those in drier areas, can hurt the natural environment by taking too much water from the ground. This is why so many eco-friendly homeowners are now buying systems that help them get water from the sky instead of from lakes and reservoirs that are running dry. Collecting rainwater in rainwater tanks can be used for things like watering the garden and flushing the toilet, which use a lot of water.
People who want to save water can also buy “water-conserving fixtures,” which are showerheads and faucets that use less water than normal ones. These fixtures that use less water can help you save money on your water bill, protect the environment, and save energy.
Plant Trees In A Planned Way
In the winter, you want sunlight to be able to get into your home and warm it up. But some landscaping keeps this from happening. Make sure your trees aren’t blocking your windows from getting sun. If you want to plant trees on the south side of your house, make sure they are the kind that loses their leaves in the fall. In the summer, they’ll help keep your house cool by blocking the sun. In the winter, when their leaves fall off, they’ll let the light in.
