Have you been thinking about implementing greener practices in your home? This is a hot topic of focus in recent years and has many homeowners asking “what can I do to reduce my footprint and make better decisions to protect the environment?”
Your home is a great place to start making a difference and luckily there are plenty of resources and tips available to make this a reality with ease. I’ve rounded up some great ways you can get started in your home today!
Save Energy:
- Leaving a room? Ensure you turn the lights off to reduce your energy consumption by utilizing only the lights that you need.
- Invest in Energy Saving Light Bulbs - LED lightbulbs may be a slightly bigger investment upfront, but they last longer and will save you both energy and money over time.
- Purchase energy efficient appliances - Once an appliance is irreparably broken, this is a good time to investigate replacing it with a more energy efficient version. Manufacturers will include the energy specifications in their labels, ensure you compare mindfully.
- Get a Smart Thermostat or manually adjust the temperature a degree or two on your thermostat. If you have the capability to set your Smart Thermostat, try reducing the temperature while you’re at work and your home is empty.
- Hang your washing to dry. Using a clothesline or hanging your clothes indoors is much better for the environment, and your wallet, than a tumble dryer.
- Do a cold wash instead of hot and use the quick cycle. This will still ensure your clothes are clean and can use up to 57% less electricity per wash.
- Replace any worn weather stripping or add this new defense on drafty doors and windows.
Food and Water:
- Fix any leaking taps and consider upgrading your toilet to a more efficient version that utilizes less water per flush. Remember to turn the taps off while brushing your teeth too!
- Ditch the individual bottled water. Drinking tap water reduces the water impact on our environment and eliminates the plastic bottles ending up in our local landfill.
- Start a garden! Grow your own herbs, veggies and wildflowers at home – this helps to reduce the carbon footprint of food transportation and wildflowers will attract bees who help to pollinate other important plants.
If you are thinking of going beyond these simpler, yet effective ways of going green, be sure to check out the Government of Canada program called the Canada Greener Homes Grant. It provides homeowners with up to $5,000 to complete energy-efficient retrofits on their properties. It’s non-taxable and non-repayable, plus the grant is not required to be declared as income. To apply, visit: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/homes/canada-greener-homes-initiative/canada-greener-homes-grant/canada-greener-homes-grant/23441
I can’t wait to hear how you have implemented some these ways to go green around your Shuswap home – and if you’re feeling that it’s time to move into a new home that allows you to customize your top Green Home ideas, connect with me and we can start the process to find the perfect piece of land or home builder for you.
RE/MAX Shuswap Realty⠀
250.832.7051
craig@craigshantz.com
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