Print this page

Save Big by Going Green With These Sustainability Tips

Written by Posted On Saturday, 15 February 2020 05:00

One of the main challenges of managing household budgets and finances is finding ways to save money. While sustainability is often more closely associated with ecological concern, going green can also provide homeowners with plenty of ways to cut household costs. From tracking down leaky faucets and plumbing fixtures to starting a garden, learning how to maintain a sustainable home often makes good financial sense. Taking steps to become more sustainable and energy-efficient can produce a degree of savings that may come as a surprise to many homeowners.

Practicing Sustainable Laundry Habits

When it comes to trimming the electric bills or finding more effective ways to minimize the utility costs, the laundry room is the perfect place to start. Washing with cold water, hanging clothes up to dry rather than using a dryer and making other small changes can often make a big difference. Households that are constantly doing laundry have much to gain by adjusting their habits and finding more sustainable ways to wash their next load.

Upgrading Older Appliances

Curbing utility costs is all about finding devices that are using more power than may be needed in order to get the job done. Outdated appliances are frequently some of the biggest sources of wasted electricity. Swapping out existing appliances for high-efficiency models or replacing older equipment that may be suffering from impaired performance can be well worth the time, effort or cost involved. The installation of roof solar panels or a rainwater collection system may also be beneficial and is an option that those planning an energy audit or home renovation would be wise to consider.

Tracking Down Water Leaks

Tracking down and fixing any leaks within the home's plumbing system is another way that homeowners may be able to reduce their bills. The slow drip of a facet, toilet tanks that constantly refill themselves and other minor issues could all result in water bills that are placing undue stress on the household budget. While extensive repairs and costly installation purchases and installation services may be required to deal with major problems, many minor issues can be resolved using nothing more complicated than a simple screwdriver and a wrench.

Gardening and Growing Fresh Produce

A backyard great way to save on grocery costs while ensuring that fresh produce is never in short supply. Lessening the environmental impact caused by industrial agricultural operations or the emissions created when bringing fresh foods to market may be as simple as setting up an area to garden within the backyard. In addition to being thrifty, gardening can be an enjoyable hobby in its own right, one that can make it much easier for households to enjoy fresh foods without having to worry about the use of pesticides or other chemicals that might otherwise be used during the growing process. Other landscaping additions that may produce some much-needed savings may include xeriscaping to help minimize irrigation or using shrubs and trees to shade the home in order to reduce cooling costs.

Creating a More Sustainable and Cost-effective Home

Unlike other home upgrades that may require no more than an installation, sustainability is an ongoing effort. Homeowners should keep an eye out for any new resources that may allow them to curb their water and energy usage as well as the new technologies and products that can be used to create a more sustainable home without requiring major changes to an established lifestyle or routine. A green home can allow owners to save a great deal more than they might have been expecting and investing the energy needed to maintain a sustainable household is often very worthwhile in the long term.

Rate this item
(1 Vote)