3 Simple Things You Can Do For A “Greener” Lifestyle

February 18, 2014

If you have finally moved into your new custom home and want to find ways to have a greener lifestyle, there are several easy things you can do to get started. It is important to keep in mind that you don’t need to take large steps to help reduce your carbon footprint; a few simple changes will have a bigger impact than you may imagine.

1. Reduce Water Consumption

A standard size bathtub typically uses about 40 gallons of water to fill and the majority of the water used has to be heated. Instead consider taking about a ten-minute shower, which can reduce the amount of water you use by five to ten gallons and it doesn’t require as much energy to heat less water. Although using the dishwasher is convenient, it requires a significant amount of water and all of the water used in a dishwasher is hot, so consider washing dishes by hand during the weekdays and only run the dishwasher with a full load one time on the weekend.

2. Killing Energy Vampires

Some of the largest consumptions of energy use are energy vampires. Energy vampires are the electronic devices you use that are plugged in when they don’t need to be. For example, unplugging cell phones, laptops, televisions and game stations when not in use will significantly lower the amount of energy you use. Even when electronic items are not turned on they still suck up energy while plugged in. Unplug all devices when not in use, including toasters, coffee makers, and other small household appliances.

3. Recycling

There is a wide range of ways to recycle items to decorate custom homes. For example, instead of buying furniture for your new home have your old furniture recovered; it will give your furniture a completely new look, you will save money and the old furniture will not be thrown in a landfill. Use your creativity to recycle and re-purpose items such as coffee grounds, which can be used to provide nutrients to your garden or consider installing a compost area to reduce the amount of food waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

The goal of going green is to take a few small steps at a time until you are doing a big part in reducing your families carbon footprint. It is often the little things that make the most difference, such as reducing the amount of water your family uses or eliminating the waste you send to a landfill. Encourage your family to get involved and you can contact local environmental agencies for additional tips on how to save more energy, reducing your utility bills and saving water.