How to make your home more eco-friendly

The profitability of investing in green technologies has come a long way. If you want to increase the “worth and longevity” of your home it is wise to invest in energy reducing equipment. It can actually be quite easy to convert your home and become more sustainable. Green homes, not only save you money in the long run, they also have a positive impact on the environment.

The profitability of investing in green technologies has come a long way. If you want to increase the “worth and longevity” of your home it is wise to invest in energy reducing equipment. It will also help you increase the value of your property.

How to make your home more eco-friendly

Think Small Homes

If you’re on a tight budget, the best home is a small home. Regardless of how green you would like to be, a large home can be vastly expensive to make green in the initial stages. For this reason, it’s easier for individuals with tight budgets to start small. Keep in mind, every extra square footage means more money and energy. You can get 3 free quotes and hire the right builder for you.

Install Solar Devices

The best way to go green is by opting for solar devices. Solar panels are an essential feature for any eco home. They are certainly a long-term investment and a great opportunity to become a more sustainable household. It might be a monetary investment in the beginnning but has great long term benefits. With solar power systems, you can take advantage of the great Australian sun depending on where you stay. They can also help with tax breaks and various government benefits.

Cool the Roof

Introducing roof cooling technologies can greatly impact your home’s overall energy efficiency. There are several ways of cooling your roof. Some of the most common options are using white tiles, slate, metal roofing, terra cotta or special membranes to cool your roof. This will also reduce your energy bill as you won't need to use your fan or air conditioner as much.

Using Geothermal Power

Green homes tend to harness geothermal power. This is an upfront investment that can limit the amount of energy required to cool and heat homes. Geothermal power is extremely useful during winter. It is a way of cooling by controlling the way heat circulates in your home.

Exploiting Sustainable Materials

Another strategic way to make your home green is by using sustainable materials. Make sure your house is framed within sustainable materials that are eco-friendly and lightweight. This includes bamboo for flooring and linoleum for corridors. 

Get serious about your water usage

When we think about a sustainable home, we think about an energy efficient house. But being truly eco-friendly means you’ll need to get serious about saving water.  We’re all told how showering saves energy and uses less water than having a bath. You will save more energy if you opt for an aerated or low-flow showerhead. Spend less time under the water too. No longer than ten minutes. 

Invest in vintage furniture

Don’t rush to a big brand furniture store to buy the latest and the newest! More and more furniture is coming to the market made from recycled wood, or other materials, which can be more eco-friendly than buying new. It will give your home a vintage vibe and aesthetic. Don't worry, you are still getting a brand-new product, but it’s been made thoughtfully, from materials that might otherwise have gone to landfill or been thrown away.

Sustainable cleaning

We all have our favourite detergents and cleaning products that we’ve used for years, and never really thought about the harm they could be doing to the environment. Once they’re washed down the drain they go into the water supply, and it can often take a lot more energy and hard work to purify the water again at treatment works. Switch to natural cleaners to disinfect and kill germs in a green way.

Invest in energy efficient fixtures

Although energy efficient light bulbs have been in existence for a long time, people are just realising its importance and getting educated about their importance and about their effectiveness and how they can save money around the home. Fixtures such as light bulbs, incandescent bulbs etc not only use less electricity, but also last longer, which means you don’t have to spend money replacing them.

Smarter kitchen

Try to minimize food waste by learning how to meal prep, meal plan and store food properly. Another way to be smart in the kitchen to to minimise the use of appliances such as pod coffee maker, toaster, microwave etc. You can also plant your own herb garden and compost your food waste. It doesnt take up a lot of space and plant them in small pots and keep them inside the house, close to a sunny window.