There’s a growing interest in homeowners looking to reduce their property’s carbon footprint. The desire to do so has always been there, but now we actually have solutions that can help property owners push their eco-friendly credentials in the right direction.
And taking these steps isn’t only good for the environment. They can also seriously elevate the quality of the property, push the valuation in the right direction, and keep costs down. Yes, there’s a lot to love about making an effort to make your home more earth-friendly. We’ll run through some of the most effective methods below; take them all on board, and you’ll be a certified eco-warrior.
Buy Second Hand (Where Possible)
You’ll need to buy a lot for your property, both when you first buy the house and as an ongoing process. While there’ll be some things that you should certainly buy new, a great number of items you’ll buy for your house can be bought second-hand. These products are much more environmentally friendly, are often cheaper, and can even look better; a vintage chair, for example, can give a room much more character than a new chair. So before you automatically buy new, take a look at what’s available on the second-hand market.
Smart Energy Use
It’s the home’s energy consumption that has the biggest environmental impact. If you’re using outdated energy appliances, then it’s likely that your home is consuming much more energy than it needs to. So take a look at energy efficient heating options, energy-saving appliances, and smart technology, all of which can help to keep energy use down to a minimum. If you’re really serious about creating an eco-friendly home, consider adding solar panels. In addition to being better for the environment, these types of products will also reduce the amount you spend on your energy bills each month — and who doesn’t want cheaper energy bills?
Start a Vegetable Patch
There’s a lot to love about starting a vegetable patch in your yard. It’ll get you outdoors, it’s good for your physical and mental well-being, and it’ll provide you with a constant supply of delicious, fresh vegetables. Most of the vegetables you buy in the supermarket have to travel a long way from the farm to the store, and so they’re nowhere near as environmentally friendly as they could be. Do things yourself, and you’ll also become more self-reliant.
Invite Wildlife
Wildlife is under threat in all corners of the world, so if you want a true champion for nature, then look at inviting wildlife to your property. We don’t mean inviting them into your home for dinner, but rather into your yard. There are plenty of ways you can make your home more wildlife-friendly, including planting flowers that attract bees, wasps, and butterflies, providing a bird’s nest for passing birds, and adding a water feature, which functions as a beacon for all kinds of wildlife. This isn’t just good for nature, but will also provide plenty of wildlife-spotting opportunities for your family.