What if we all treated our homes like its own environment, a little biosphere. Would we be kinder to the planet?
Many people from across the globe are becoming more aware of the environment we live in and what we can do to help save the planet. If you’re looking to live a greener lifestyle, you should start by making changes to your property. Being eco-friendly will not only help you contribute towards a sustainable environment, but it can save you money in the long run too. If you’re serious about doing your bit for the environment, here are a few things to consider to make your Los Angeles property more eco-friendly.
Install a Smart Meter
None of us want to open our utility bills to find a nasty surprise, so to help save on your energy consumption, you may want to consider having a smart meter installed. In the winter months in particular, it can be all too easy to leave your heating on for longer than intended, which can lead to a lot of wasted money and energy. Installing a smart meter can give you more control, meaning they only turn on at certain points of the day e.g. beginning to heat up before you arrive home. If you’re serious about decreasing your energy bills and want to reduce your carbon footprint, installing a smart meter is a no-brainer.
Get Serious About Water
When we think of the word ‘sustainability’ we tend to only relate it towards energy consumption, however, if you’re wanting to be truly eco-friendly, you need to be just as serious about saving on your water. To begin, you should go around your property to make sure there aren’t any leaks. Even if you find no leaks in your home, there are tons of lifestyle changes that you can make to help save water. For instance, make sure not to leave the faucet running while you’re brushing your teeth or shaving. It’s also advised to install a low-flow showerhead, which has been proven to save close to 160,000 liters of water for families of four.
Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
You may not realize it, but the light bulbs you use in your home can have a massive impact on how much energy you use. While energy efficient light bulbs have been around for a long period, it’s only been in recent years where people have taken more notice of the benefits that they can bring. One of the main advantages of energy efficient light bulbs is that they use less electricity, as well as last longer, meaning you don’t have to shell out money on replacing them frequently.
Embrace Natural Cleaning Products
We all like to keep our homes spick and span, however, if you’re prone to using harmful chemicals to clean, you may not realize the damage you could be doing for the environment. When you wash it all away, you’re simply putting all the harmful chemicals into the water supply, meaning that the water will need to undergo more purification before it’s safe to drink and use again. The good news is that you don’t need to purchase expensive and toxic chemicals to get household chores done. For most day-to-day cleaning tasks, using natural products like citric acid, bicarbonate of soda, and vinegar can work just as well as help you live a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Install Solar Panels
Known as an essential component for any eco-friendly home, solar panels can help save on your energy bills and provide you with completely clean electricity which you can sell back to the grid if you make enough energy. While they may be pricey to install, you need to think of them as a long-term investment, especially as it can take up to 20 years for you to break even – however, this will depend on where you live.
For those living in Los Angeles, the weather may be glorious and sunny all year round, but constant heat goes hand in hand with rising energy bills. With that in mind, you may want to consider contacting a reputable solar panel company like Semper Solaris who can install solar panels on your property. Semper Solaris also provide roofing services, heating and air conditioning, as well as battery storage for your solar panels. If you have any problems with your solar panels, the company also provide solar repair.
Speak with a Sustainability Consultant
Each property is different, so if you’re serious about improving the green credentials of your home, but you’re unsure what route to go down, you’re best engaging with a sustainability consult who will be able to give you more advice and guidance on the best changes that you can make to your property.
Create Your Own Compost
Whether you live alone, with friends, or a family, it’s important not to waste any of your leftover food and kitchen scraps. Instead, why not turn it all into compost? You would be amazed at how much of the food that you throw in the trash can be recycled and transformed into compost. To do this effectively, all you need to do is place a compost bin in your backyard and fill it with any waste.
Insulate Your Home
One of the best ways to improve your property’s eco-friendliness is to make sure that you consume as little energy as possible. A great way to do this is by investing in insulation, which can help trap in the heat, meaning you do not need to burn energy reheating your home all the time. There are lots of areas that can and should be insulated, such as your living area, kitchen, and attic. It’s also advised to invest in double glazing for your windows if you’ve not done so already.
Cook Intelligently
For those who love to cook up a storm, there are tons of tips and tricks that you can use to your advantage as a way to live more eco-friendly. For example, when leaving the oven door open, you may not realize how much heat you could be losing. Even if it’s only open for a brief period, your oven will need to use a significant amount of energy to heat it back up. Another huge problem is coffee pod waste, which could be contributing towards a global environmental disaster. If you love your cup of joe, consider switching to a conventional drip coffee maker, rather than relying on plastic and sleek aluminum capsules that end up in landfill every year.
Buy Recycled
Another great idea to try out is purchasing recycled products only. Whether it’s kitchen roll or toilet tissue, the more you go down the recycled route, the more you will be doing to benefit the environment. When you’re next out grocery shopping, make sure that you check whether there is a recycled option on the packaging. There are lots of electronic devices that you can buy recycled too, such as gaming consoles, and cell phones.
These are just a few key tips to help make your Los Angeles home more eco-friendly. If money is no issue, you may want to consider making big changes to your home, such as insulating your property, or installing solar panels which can help you save money on your utility bills.
