February 24, 2023
10 Easy Eco-Friendly Home Upgrades You Can Do Today
Have you been thinking about going green and saving money at the same time?
Making eco-friendly home upgrades is a great way to achieve both these goals. Not only do home upgrades help reduce your carbon footprint, but they also help cut down on energy and water usage, and ultimately reduce your utility bills.
So read on as we take a look at 10 easy eco-friendly home upgrades you can do today. These upgrades are affordable, easy to install, and will save you money in the long run.
Upgrade 1: Switch to LED light bulbs
One of the easiest ways to go green and save money is by switching to LED light bulbs.
LED bulbs are highly energy-efficient, using up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. This means you’ll save on your electricity bill and reduce your carbon footprint. LED bulbs also last much longer than traditional bulbs, which means you won’t have to replace them as often.
For example, if you replace five 60-watt incandescent bulbs with 9-watt LED bulbs, you’ll save up to $75 per year on your electricity bill. That’s a lot of money that can be used for other things!
Upgrade 2: Install a programmable thermostat
Another easy eco-friendly home upgrade is installing a programmable thermostat.
With a programmable thermostat, you can set the temperature to automatically adjust based on your schedule. For example, you can program it to lower the temperature when you’re at work and raise it before you get home. This means you won’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty house.
A programmable thermostat can save you up to $180 per year on your heating and cooling bills. It’s a simple and affordable upgrade that will pay for itself in no time.
Upgrade 3: Install weather stripping
Installing weather stripping is a great way to improve energy efficiency and reduce drafts in your home.
Weather stripping is a material that seals the gaps around your windows and doors, preventing air leaks and reducing heat loss.
For instance, if you install weather stripping around your doors and windows, you could save up to 15% on your energy bill. That’s a significant amount of money that could be put towards your next holiday!
Upgrade 4: Use low-flow showerheads
Another easy eco-friendly home upgrade is using low-flow showerheads.
Low-flow showerheads reduce water usage by limiting the amount of water that flows through the showerhead. This means you’ll use less water and save money on your water bill.
By using a low-flow showerhead, you could save up to 8,000 gallons of water per year. You could use that water for other things around the house, such as watering your plants or changing your aquarium water.
Upgrade 5: Plant a vegetable garden
Not only is planting a vegetable garden a fun and rewarding hobby, but it’s also an eco-friendly home upgrade.
By growing your own food, you reduce the amount of food waste and the carbon footprint associated with transporting food from farms to grocery stores.
What’s more, if you plant a decent-sized vegetable garden, you could save up to $600 per year on your groceries. And of course, it’s not just a handy money saver – it’s also satisfying and healthy to eat home grown fruit and veggies.
Upgrade 6: Use power strips
Using power strips is an easy way to reduce your energy usage and save money.
Power strips allow you to plug in multiple devices and turn them off with a single switch. This means you won’t waste energy on standby power when your devices aren’t in use.
For example, if you use power strips to turn off your devices when you’re not using them, you could save up to $100 per year on your energy bill.
Upgrade 7: Hang indoor plants
Adding indoor plants is an easy and affordable way to improve the air quality in your home.
Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which makes the air in your home fresher and cleaner. Hanging plants are a great option if you want to add greenery to your home without taking up too much space.
To give you an example, if you hang indoor plants, you could reduce the amount of stress you feel and improve your mood. Studies have shown that plants can have a calming effect on people and can even reduce the risk of depression.
Upgrade 8: Install a water filtration system
Installing a water filtration system is an easy way to improve the taste and quality of your tap water.
A water filtration system removes contaminants and impurities from your water, which makes it taste better and safer to drink.
For instance, if you install a water filtration system, you won’t have to buy bottled water anymore. Bottled water can be expensive, and the plastic bottles contribute to the growing problem of plastic waste in our environment.
Upgrade 9: Use natural cleaning products
Using natural cleaning products is an easy way to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals and reduce your environmental impact.
Natural cleaning products are made with ingredients that are safe for you and the environment, and they’re just as effective as traditional cleaning products.
By choosing to use natural cleaning products, you’ll reduce the amount of chemicals that go down the drain and end up in our waterways. You’ll also reduce the amount of plastic waste you produce by using refillable containers instead of single-use bottles.
Upgrade 10: Install smart power strips
Installing smart power strips is a more advanced eco-friendly home upgrade, but it can save you a significant amount of money and energy.
Smart power strips use technology to automatically turn off devices when they’re not in use, which means you won’t waste energy on standby power.
If you decide to install smart power strips, you can expect to save up to $200 per year on your energy bill. That’s money that you could surely find other things to spend it on!
By making these 10 easy eco-friendly home upgrades, you can reduce your carbon footprint and save money at the same time. From switching to LED light bulbs to using natural cleaning products, these upgrades are affordable, easy to install, and will pay for themselves in no time.
So why not start today and see the difference these upgrades can make to your home and your wallet? Remember, every small change counts!
Craig J Todd – Freelance writer with a passion for tech, trends and simplicity.
