When we think of sustainability, we often think of planting more trees, saying no to single-use plastics, or even using public transport instead of driving our cars. But we often don’t think about how our homes can also contribute to the cause without undergoing massive construction changes. There are several changes that a household can make to improve its overall carbon footprint, contributing to the overall health and well-being of its surroundings. But why is that the need of the hour, and how can sustainability at home be achieved? Let’s find out:
Why Should a Household Consider Adopting Sustainable Changes?
Be it opting for the best energy deals or choosing to compost scrap food materials every week, sustainability, once implemented, becomes a lifestyle. With the sharp rise in frequent heat waves and the negative impact of industrial activities on our environment, making sustainable life changes can contribute to improving the environment and our communities.
Some compelling reasons include:
- Reduction in carbon footprint: Implementing sustainable choices like opting for solar energy or using energy-efficient appliances like smart bulbs significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- Conservation of our resources: Sustainable living promotes the principles of recycling, reducing, and reusing, as well as increasing reliance on renewable resources. This shift reduces stress on finite resources, conserving them for future generations.
- Better quality of life: In addition to protecting non-renewable resources, sustainable living promotes healthy habits that connect us to nature. Such a conscious way of life improves happiness and positively impacts one’s health.
Key Changes That Make Your Home More Sustainable
Sustainable lifestyle changes have positive short-term and long-term benefits. While these changes can initially be mildly demanding, they become a way of life over time. Here are some easy changes worth making:
Opting for Solar Energy
Solar energy is available in abundance, and if your household is not utilising it, you are missing out on massive savings. Choosing solar power systems allows your household to harness solar energy to meet your home’s energy requirements. In fact, households can store the excess units of electricity produced in solar batteries, allowing them to go grid-free completely. The shift is often unnoticeable, as you can continue using appliances without worrying about peak hour or power outages.
Recycling, Reducing & Repurposing
Recycling your waste gives a new purpose to old items or materials. Such decisions reduce the amount of waste heading for landfills and the oceans. Reducing often involves buying only the things you need and using them (and avoiding hoarding as much as possible), shopping for fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s market, and taking your carry bags instead of using single-use plastic. The same is true with repurposing; instead of buying new things, reconsider how your existing items can be used to serve the same purpose.
Using Energy-Efficient Appliances
Energy-efficient appliances use less energy to perform the same quality of tasks, ensuring consistency in their performance. You should check the energy-efficiency rating for key appliances, such as fridges and freezers, dishwashers, air conditioners, and washing machines. If they consume more energy than they should, replacing them will be beneficial in the long run. Another smart way to make appliance usage more energy-efficient is to turn the switch off when the appliances are not in use. It prevents vampire drain and translates to significant savings on electricity bills.
Installing a Smart Meter
A smart meter works like an old electricity meter, but it has plenty of features, including monitoring and keeping you (or authorised parties) updated on everyday energy usage. These meters are designed to be more accurate, offer access to different kinds of tariffs, and encourage smarter energy-saving habits in the family. If your home is powered by solar energy, having a smart meter becomes even more critical, as it allows insights into the amount of energy generated by solar panels, your energy consumption patterns, and the units you send back to the grid.
Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Be it washing your bedsheets or wiping your floors clean, the quality of the products you use can impact the environment. In most households, cleaning products have harmful chemicals that leave behind residuals or fumes. These can cause breathing problems and, in some cases, skin rashes and harm the environment. On the other hand, eco-friendly cleaning products are made with plant-derived or mineral-based substances that clean thoroughly while being biodegradable.
The Bottom Line
Sustainable switches are not as tricky as they may seem. Starting with small changes and gradually making significant changes is the key to making the transition simple yet impactful. A key consideration to have at all times is understanding the deeper meaning of the changes you are making and adapting them to your way of life. Sustainability is a long path, and you can achieve your goals with everyday efforts.
