Category: Sober living

All those great treasures in your secondhand shop down the street? They came from somebody finally doing a spring cleaning, and then taking the stuff to be repurchased. Don’t just get and use them—flip them off whenever you’re done using the things that are plugged in. Everything from TVs to phone chargers can act as “vampire appliances,” leeching energy while not in use.

You can do that by simply removing the extra bulbs or using individual spotlight lights or side lamps instead of having all the lights on at once. Instead of halogen spotlights try LEDs (light-emitting diodes). LEDs are becoming more energy-efficient than CFLs and are available in a variety of colors and wattages depending on what your needs are. They are more expensive, but like the CFL, they do last a lot longer, so you have to replace them less. Give your home a makeover, and arrange furniture to optimize natural light. But while an additional pane of glazing always makes your windows more energy-efficient, will it be the right investment?

Reduce energy consumption

By insulating your heating ducts, you can save money on heating bills and conserve energy throughout your home. When you don’t feel like doing the dishes, plastic plates and silverware feel like an easy out, but these single-use products are costly for both your bank account and the environment. “Packaging and other single-use items form a large proportion of the plastic litter leaking to the ocean.” Take a page out of Macklemore’s book and head to the thrift store for your next shopping spree.

Don’t toss it, instead bring it to Goodwill or a consignment shop. Perhaps you even have a crafty friend who might enjoy repainting and re-purposing How to make your home more environmentally friendly it. Another great option for your chandelier, as well as other items like appliances and cabinets, is Habitat for Humanity.

Reduce kitchen plastics and single-use disposables

Get green by installing a programmable thermostat to monitor your cooling and heating systems. A thermostat can reduce the cost of your utility bill and make your home more eco-friendly at the same time. Energy Star Appliances, may cost a bit more money to buy initially, but are more durable, more environmentally friendly, and will save cash on utility bills.

Even though winters don’t dip below 30 very often, our heating is expensive and inefficient. Switching to solar energy can save homeowners over $100 a month which is more than $35,000 over 20 years. Oh the sustainable things I would create, install, and invest in if I had a little slice of land that was completely and utterly mine.