In these environmentally conscious times, the drive to make the world a more eco-friendly place has become a priority and those practices start at home. Nearly three-quarters of Americans see global climate change as a “very serious” threat and say people will have to make major changes in the way they live to reduce the effects of climate change, according to a Pew Research Center report. Today, homeowners have many simple, frugal solutions to reduce their carbon footprint.
Cooking Eco-Friendliness In The Kitchen
Preparing food in a quick, electric pressure cooker rather than slowly simmering a pot on a gas stove is one way to save time, money and energy. In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy found that toaster ovens use half as much energy compared to a conventional electric oven. It also heats up to temperature in half the time.
Composting food scraps may be the single most frugal thing an eco-friendly homeowner can do as it literally costs nothing. Instead of throwing uneaten scraps into the trash, dump them in a compost bin. Landfill food waste is a leading cause of methane, but composting prevents food decomposition and the release of greenhouse gases.
Frugally Eco Fortifying The Rest Of The House
Whether you reside in the States or as far away as Australia, winters tempt homeowners to leave heat running longer than needed. Installing an inexpensive Smart Meter or automated thermostat can be programmed when to run and at what temperatures. They’re a real boon for those concerned about their carbon footprint and their increasing energy bill.
Replace traditional light bulbs with similarly priced LEDs which use 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting. Another money and eco-saving strategy is plugging multiple electrical devices into power cords. That makes it easy to turn off several running devices at once when you leave the house or go to bed.
Water Ways To Battle Drought
Water has become a precious commodity in today’s global warming world as many environmentalists maintain water surpluses are quickly evaporating. Fixing a slowly dripping faucet can be a simple, low-cost project, and one drip every second adds up to five gallons of wasted water per day. Shortening a shower by as little as one minute can save up to 150 gallons of water per month. Installing a low-flow showerhead can also tack-on additional savings. The same is true with an eco-friendly, low-flow toilet which can save as much as 13,000 gallons of water per year, plus slash monthly water bills by nearly $100.
Avoid using hot water in the laundry room. By using your washer’s cold water setting for all loads, you can eliminate up to 1,600 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year. And since almost 90 percent of a washing machine’s energy goes toward heating water, your energy bill will decrease.
Common sense living today is more important than ever. Observing many practical tips, homeowners can not only make simple changes to save the planet but save money as well. Making your home eco-friendly can be a richly rewarding hobby that helps the planet today and protects it for future generations.