Sustainability has become a theme at the forefront of home ownership in recent years. It means making sure your home is more self-sufficient when it comes to resources like energy and water, as well as the materials you choose for your belongings. You can add sustainability to your home in many different ways, which help you save you money in the long run.
- Add insulation to your attic and crawlspace to conserve energy
- Install exterior window coverings to keep your home cooler in summer
- Invest in solar panels on your roof to decrease your dependency on the grid
- Keep your appliances clean inside, and outside – pay special attention to your refrigerator coils and your dryer lint
- Use a smart thermostat to pre-set changes in temperature for your home according to when you’re there and when you’re not.
- Replace windows with high-performance energy-efficient windows
- Invest in energy-efficient appliances to replace old refrigerators, dishwashers, stoves, ovens, and washer/dryers
- Choose a drip irrigation watering system for your lawn instead of an automatic sprinkler system to water your grass at the root level where it matters most
- Install a water filter for your tap water to cut down on the bottled water your family consumes
- Replace your lightbulbs with LED bulbs, which give your greater energy efficiency and last much longer, not to mention they pass on fewer toxic metals to the environment
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