If you are having trouble with finding everyday ways to reduce your carbon footprint, you are not alone. Millions of Americans are still finding it hard to incorporate green practices into their everyday lives. While living green can be a challenge in a world that is always evolving, the looming effects of climate change have made many Americans conscious of their impact on the environment. There are many ways that you can fit green practices into your everyday life.
If your home is due for an upgrade, there are many eco-friendly solutions that you can implement. With spring finally here, we have come up with 10 simple everyday ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Keep on reading if you want to find out more.
Consider Solar
Choosing solar energy over conventional power delivery systems can help you reduce your carbon footprint on a large scale. This is one of the most significant everyday ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Not only does solar energy have the least impact on the environment, but it also helps you reduce your energy bill by a large margin. Solar energy is available and applicable everywhere. In some states in America, you can receive a tax credit when you install solar panels. The benefits of solar energy are that it can be used for various purposes to generate electricity. Whether you need it to heat your water, light up your home or open your gate, solar energy can be used everywhere in your home.
When you use solar energy, you are using clean and renewable energy. This is the type of energy that is needed to contribute towards a more healthy and sustainable environment. It can motivate you to make more improvements that are aimed towards being socially and environmentally responsible.
Go Tankless
Going tankless is an easy and efficient way to manage your water heater installation. The water gets heated up quickly, and it is only heated when it is needed. A conventional water heater uses up a large amount of energy to continuously heat the tank’s water. With a tankless water heater, you will save money with fast energy efficiency and conserve water.
If you are looking for everyday ways to reduce your carbon footprint, a tankless water heater installation can offer you many benefits. These benefits include saving space in your home and being more energy-efficient, helping you make a valuable contribution towards an improved environment.
Add Native Plants
Nowadays, landscaping projects have taken a significant step towards improving the quality of the environment. Landscaping designs such as xeriscaping focus on mitigating the impact of water shortages on landscaping in certain regions. Xeriscaping includes adding native moisture-loving plants as a key component to reducing any further water waste by up to 75%. You can incorporate xeriscaping even if you live in regions that experience rainfall.
This is one of the most effective everyday ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Moreover, you can also reduce the maintenance of your lawn if you have opted for xeriscaping. Reducing your water bill and maintenance costs will save you a lot of money in the long term. Native plants do not need to be treated with any chemicals. This is a significant step towards reducing pollution.
Add More Sustainable Plumbing
Green plumbing is changing the way home plumbing solutions operate. Many different fixtures have changed the way that homes can save energy. For instance, low-flow toilets and low-flow showerheads have helped many families reduce the amount of water they require to shower or flush the toilet. Other fixtures are installed and are controlled by solar panels.
Green plumbing has valuable solutions that are key for everyday ways to reduce your carbon footprint. They also improve the longevity of home appliances. For instance, when you opt to install a low-flow showerhead, your appliances are kept from overworking and potentially wearing out.
Upgrade to Eco-Friendly Garage Doors
You would be surprised to find out how many people do not consider their garage doors when thinking of ways to reduce their carbon footprint. An eco-friendly garage door is a door that has been designed and produced according to several green practices. This includes the types of materials used to make it, the process that goes into making it, and how it is maintained once it is produced. If you are a homeowner who has a conventional garage door, the following are some advantages of installing an eco-friendly garage door.
- The materials that are used make it energy-efficient and durable to withstand extreme weather conditions for a longer period.
- It offers curb appeal that can positively influence the value of your home.
- It can save homeowners money over time.
If you are looking for a garage door option to choose for your home, you can find reliable sources online for price comparisons and options for installations.
Get Green Flooring
Have you ever considered changing your floors as part of the everyday ways to reduce your carbon footprint? Green flooring is a solution that many homeowners are looking into. The wood that is used to make the floors has been recycled from other building applications. When you choose green flooring for your home, you’re reducing waste and lessening the number of living trees being cut down.
Green floors are also known for their various health benefits. For example, they can reduce the levels of indoor pollutants. Using wood that is a natural hypoallergenic can reduce the occurrence of allergies or even asthma attacks. Moreover, when you install these floors, you will not need to use chemicals to maintain them. The eco-friendly materials used in green flooring ensure that your flooring is effortless to maintain and lasts longer.
Install Eco-Friendly Countertops
If you are looking for everyday ways to reduce your carbon footprint, you cannot forget about the kitchen. Countertops matter the most when it comes to remodeling your kitchen. Fortunately, there is a wide range of eco-friendly countertops that you can choose from.
- Recycled glass slab: These are a lovely alternative to natural stone. Recycling the aggregate of your concrete counters can make it a green option.
- Paper composite: These can be used instead of laminate. Paper composite offers you durability minus the chemicals found in laminate.
- Reclaimed wood: This is a natural material that makes the home look warm and inviting.
- Recycled glass tile: This can be used as a substitute for ceramic tile.
- Recycled aluminum. For a modern countertop, you can try out aluminum instead of stainless steel.
Many kitchen remodeling contractors know how to install eco-friendly countertops that can make your kitchen look like it should be featured in a modern magazine.
Energy-Efficient Replacement Windows and Doors
Did you know that your windows and doors play a significant role in the energy-saving that happens in your home? They make up the most important parts of your home. When your windows or doors have cracks, they can mess up the insulation during winter or summer, causing you to spend more on heating and cooling systems. This means that you will end up spending more each year trying to keep your home cool or hot enough for you and your family.
Replacement doors and windows offer you key everyday ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Nowadays, you can combine window frames to ensure that you customize your windows to suit your needs, no matter the weather. For example, you can install storm windows or energy-efficient window attachments to improve the heat in your home. For your doors, you can consider replacing them with more energy-efficient doors or weatherstripping them to improve their durability.
Install a cooler roof
If your roof has minor leaks, or it creaks more frequently at night, you may be due for a new roof installation. When you are shopping around for a new roof, you may want to find one that absorbs less heat than a conventional roof. These roofs are a great way to reduce energy bills. They can improve indoor comfort by providing cooling to spaces that are not exposed to the sunlight. They can also extend the lifespan of your roof.
These roofs reduce the need for air conditioning because they keep the house cool during the hot seasons. Cooler roofs are also known for their health and environmental benefits, including:
- They can reduce the urban heat island effect
- They can decrease electricity consumption
- The reduction of cooling energy use in buildings can help to reduce the number of plant emissions
Use Low-VOC Paint
Low-VOC or Non-VOC paints do not contain volatile organic compounds. These compounds are responsible for the way paint smells. As a result, they contain gases that can be harmful to the environment or a painter constantly exposed to them. These chemicals need to be regulated by the government because they can also build up in your walls and cause health complications.
When homeowners choose to be conscious about the types of paints and chemicals that they use in their homes, they make strides towards ensuring that the environment suffers less damage over time. The most obvious advantage of using Low-VOC paint is the health benefits that minimized exposure to these chemicals has on an individual over time. These paints also promote green buildings and reduce the need for air conditioning.
Moreover, these types of paints are easier to clean when compared to other paints, such as oil paints, and they do not cause yellowing of your walls over time.
The Bottom Line
Coming up with simple everyday ways to reduce your carbon footprint can be challenging for some people. However, if you are committed to staying true to your goals of improving the environment, you can follow through on the suggestions listed above without much difficulty. We consume copious amounts of energy daily. It is important to know and understand our impact on the environment and ways to reduce this impact.
You can start thinking about ways to upgrade your home and life that are also environmentally friendly. This can include the types of building materials you use, the showerhead you install, or the types of windows and doors you choose. Everything should be aimed towards practicing everyday ways to reduce your carbon footprint. It is important to stay informed and to know what alternatives are there that are energy efficient.
