Today’s homeowners are more concerned with sustainability than ever before. From researching solar panels Florida laws to investigating environmentally friendly materials, homeowners are going above and beyond to save money while saving the planet. If sustainability matters to you, these tips can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable energy is the way of the future. Wind power, hydropower and geothermal energy are all excellent energy sources that don’t release toxic chemicals into the air. However, only power companies can decide to utilize these sources. Fortunately, there’s one renewable energy option that homeowners can access directly: solar.
Solar panels Florida are small enough to fit on rooftops, allowing homeowners to power their electronics with sunlight. They can save so much money by doing so that solar panels pay for themselves within a decade. Additionally, Florida is a great place for solar since the Sunshine State gets up to 250 sunny days a year.
Sustainable Material
During home construction, you can choose from a wide variety of materials. By picking sustainably options, you can build an eco-friendly house from the ground up.
One example is flooring. While carpet is comfortable, it’s not the greenest option. It typically lasts 10 years, though you may need to replace it sooner in high-traffic areas. Additionally, it holds onto pollen, pet dander and other allergens, which can negatively impact air quality.
Rather than going through 1,000 square feet of carpet every decade, consider flooring with a longer lifespan:
- Tile
- Bamboo
- Hardwood
- Cork
You can also choose eco-friendly decorations for your walls. There are plenty of environmentally safe wallpapers and paints on the market to help you customize your home.
Improved Energy Efficiency
Improving energy efficiency is one of the best ways to improve your home’s eco-friendliness — and save yourself some money. One step is to upgrade to smart appliances:
- Refrigerator
- Thermostat
- Oven
- Dishwasher
- Washer and dryer
These appliances use less electricity and water. You can even connect them to a hub to control from a smartphone, giving you more control over your family’s energy consumption.
Regular maintenance on your house can also boost its energy efficiency. For instance, addressing drafts and applying weather stripping to doors and windows ensures hot air doesn’t sneak in during the summer. As a result, your air conditioner won’t run as much. Since AC uses a lot of electricity, reducing its run time saves you money.
Eco-Friendly Landscaping
A green lawn may look pretty but can be terrible for the environment. Grass requires regular watering, especially in drought conditions. With water supplies dwindling each year, it’s time to retire wasteful use.
Instead, consider eco-friendly landscaping. One option is to embrace native plants, which can thrive without human intervention. Another is an artfully arranged rock garden. If you want to keep some non-native plants, consider alternatives to sprinklers and garden hoses, such as rain barrels.If you want to live more sustainably, search for solar installers near me. These companies can offer a quote and walk you through the design and installation process. The sooner you start, the sooner you can save money and reduce your environmental impact.
