Make your Home Green – 2024 Guide

Going green is one of the best things that you can do for both the environment and your pocketbook. Fortunately, these days, there’s no shortage of green electricity suppliers and ways that you can incorporate green energy into your daily life.

There are several benefits to moving away from traditional energy sources, and it’s clear that going green is the way of the future. Getting started is easy, painless, and requires just a few little fixes on your end.

Changing Energy Suppliers to Embrace Green Electricity

The first and most important thing that you can do is embrace green electricity and energy options. Older fuel choices, like coal, are very bad for the environment. Switch to green energy by getting in touch with your provider and asking them what environmentally-friendly options are available. If your provider doesn’t offer a green alternative, switch to one that does.

You have several options available to you, including solar and wind energies, and with more and more people opting for clean, green energy, prices are exceptionally competitive. Green energy is also renewable energy, which means that it’s very good for the planet.

Types Of Green Energy To Consider

The type of green energy that is best for you and your family will largely depend on where you live, if you own or rent your home, and what kind of financial resources you have. There are some that require larger upfront costs but offer long-term benefits, and others that are relatively easy to switch to.

If you call different providers, you could get an introductory price or benefit from switching over to renewable energy. It’s well worth exploring, especially if you care about the environment and want to do something good for both you and the planet in the long run.

Wind

We’ve all seen those massive windmills out in the countryside. They are actually known as turbines, and each one belongs to a wind farm that generates power for companies or individuals.

Solar

Solar energy is the most popular renewable energy. You used to have to own your own home to take advantage of solar energy, but these days you can actually sign up to participate in a solar community where panels are shared. Solar energy is completely renewable and usually more reliable than things like wind energy. In fact, solar energy has experienced unprecedented growth in the last 5 years. According to PowerSetter.com, the energy comparison and educational tool, the supply of solar energy in US has increased 20 fold from less than 6,000 mWh in 2014 to over 100,000 mWh in 2019.

Hydroelectric

Hydroelectric energy happens when you harness the power of water to fuel residential homes or businesses. It’s been used for years in the commercial world, and dams are great examples of hydroelectric power in action. Although it’s not as popular as other sources of energy, hydroelectric energy will most likely gain steam in the future as a viable alternative to traditional energies.

There are other types of energy to tap into, like geothermic energies, but the three listed above are the most common renewable energies that we’re using at the moment.

Save Water By Fixing Leaks

Leaks are more than just a nuisance; they could be driving up your water bill. The upfront cost of hiring a plumber will be well worth the end result of having a leak-free home.

Don’t just look for leaks in your sink either. Inefficient toilets that run long after you’ve flushed can be causing your bills to go up as well. Saving water will save you money, and ongoing leak problems can also cause erosion in your pipes, so it’s best that you take care of them right away.

Catching a leak when it first starts is the key to really saving money. Make an appointment with your plumber and let them know if the leak comes back, or gets worse. It could be a sign of a compromised pipe.

Embrace LED Lighting

If you haven’t switched your bulbs to LED lighting, you’re unnecessarily running up your electric bill. LED lighting is far more efficient, and these bulbs run a lot cleaner than traditional ones. They are also far more environmentally-friendly.

You can find LED lighting to suit every area of your home, from floor lamps to outdoor flood lights. You’ll also save money in the long run. Like many of the items on this list, LED lights are sometimes more costly upfront but they tend to save you a lot of money on your electric bill over time. You are also doing something very important for the environment.

This is one of the easiest switches that you can make to help guide your home in a green direction. You also don’t need to change out all of your bulbs at once. Simply switch them to LED lights as they burn out.

Make Sure Your Windows Are Sealed

Heat and air conditioning can easily leak out your windows and doors, especially if they are not properly insulated. Older homes generally have more issues with leaky windows, so if you find your energy bills spiking for no apparent reason, you might want to replace them.

You can also caulk the areas directly around your windows and doors, or use plastic to cover up windows during the colder months. Another green option is to forgo air conditioning altogether during the summer, and simply use fans.

Upgrade Your Appliances

If you haven’t upgraded your appliances in a while, you should really consider doing so. Older appliances tend to eat up a ton of energy, and they don’t run as well as newer ones. Although you will be making a larger upfront investment by buying new appliances, you will save money in the long run.

Look for appliances with the Energy Star label. These have been vetted and are guaranteed to be more efficient than other brands. If you can’t replace all of your appliances at once, make a plan to replace them over the course of a year. Even replacing one or two is a great start.

There are plenty of simple ways to make your home greener and more efficient. Make these smart switches today.