Being ‘green’ or environmentally sound is all the rage these days- and with good reason. Helping out the environment can mean great tax write-offs, cheaper living in the home, and more effective appliances in the home. Living green can mean more green in your wallet, and a happier, healthier home at the same time! Discover three ways you can make your home more environmentally sound while still sticking to a tighter budget.
It’s the little changes that make a huge difference
Even the tiniest budget can make way for a few small changes. Change all your light bulbs to CFL or LED lights, which can be up to ten times more efficient than the classic light bulbs most people use in their homes. Eartheasy claims that lighting costs up to 25% of the home’s overall energy costs, and switching to LED or CFL lights can not only help you waste less energy, but can save you on your electric bill at the same time. While these bulbs are initially slightly more costly than their energy-wasting counterparts, your long-term energy savings makes up for this cost and then some.
Other small changes you can make to make your home more environmentally sound include installing shower heads that use less water and unplugging electrical appliances when they are not in use. This helps save water and electricity which is a major earth-friendly impact, and saves you money at the same time.
Also See : 6 Tips to Living a More Eco Friendly Lifestyle
Stop the water works
If you are doing a bathroom or home remodel, cheap environmentally sound upgrades you can make have to do with your plumbing. Invest in an energy-efficient water heater so you can save hundreds of dollars a year in heating costs. Or install a toilet that flushes with less gallons of water than traditional toilets do to save on water waste. While these toilets can cost more than other basic models, you can rest assured knowing that you are wasting less and saving the environment while having a quality toilet at the same time. These toilets are stylish and known to last for years, allowing you to make a wise investment just one time in your bathroom.
Also Check : 5 Smartphone Apps for an Eco Friendly Lifestyle
Reuse and recycle with furniture
Reusing or repurposing old furniture is a great way to make your home more green on a budget. In fact, most often the only cost is a little bit of elbow grease on your part! When shopping for furniture, choose pieces that are made from recycled wood, or simply shop used. You save lots of money this way, and can feel great about not contributing to pollution and waste that goes toward new furniture production. You can find wonderful furniture pieces at local flea markets, thrift stores, or by trading with friends and family.
Not into going used or repurposing? That’s OK, too- you can go with ready to assemble furniture, which is cost-effective, easy to assemble, and comes in attractive styles and colors. You can quickly choose a style that works best for you, from entertainment centers to dresser drawers, that are very environmentally friendly in cost and manufacturing.
When it comes to making your home healthy and green, you can see that there are many ways you can update your home in earth-friendly ways without going broke in the process. You don’t have to have a large budget, nor do you have to make large changes, to make a real difference in your home. Incorporate any of these budget-conscious into your current home renovation or update, and you can feel great about doing your part to do our environment a favor. You can feel even better about doing your budget a favor, too.
