Green Lifestyle Tips

Green Lifestyle Tips

Have you asked yourself how can I be more green? Or what is green living? Do you know how to live green? Do you want to live an eco friendly lifestyle? Whether renovating your home or doing one simple DIY project, why not go green? This can be just as affordable and easy as conventional projects if you plan and do some research. Adding insulation may not be cheap, but it will certainly save money in the long run and will cut your use of fossil fuels. Fixing leaky faucets, changing to better light bulbs, and using power strips to turn off appliances that are not in use are all easy and inexpensive. We hope that these Green Lifestyle Tips inspire you. 

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Green Lifestyle Tips

Stop the junk mail

Junk mail clutters up your house, annoys you and your family, and kills trees. Treehugger.com offers a way to stop junk mail, get 2 energy-efficient light bulbs, and receive a reusable shopping bag, all for $36 (plus $7 S&H). This is one of the easiest and quickest favors you can give your home.

Insulate

Insulation is an affordable way to make your home more energy-efficient and eco-friendly. There are two types of insulation: batting and blown-in insulation. Batting is easy to handle and can be installed by most homeowners. On the other hand, blown-in insulation is best installed by professionals. By adding insulation to your home, you can reduce your use of fossil fuels and save money on energy bills. Although insulating walls can be challenging, insulating an attic is simple. An uninsulated attic can cause a loss of up to 25% of heated or cooled air in your home. To check whether your existing attic insulation is sufficient, make sure it reaches the top of the floor joists. If not, you can add more batting until it does.

Home Energy Audit

Check for drafts

On a windy day, light a candle and walk around your house. Follow the smoke to find leaks that can be plugged with caulk or expanding foam. Check windows to be sure you are not getting a draft through or around them. Glass is a poor insulator. You need an air pocket between 2 panes. Either install storm windows or use 4 mils thick clear plastic to create the barrier.

Fix leaky faucets

Americans waste a lot of water because of leaky faucets. This is bad for the environment and bad for the budget. Usually, you just need to replace washers. Very cheap. More extensive repairs may require a plumber if you are not handy with these tasks.

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How to Live Green Eco Friendly Lifestyle

Energy savers

• If replacing an old appliance, check for Energy Star appliances, which are certified to save electricity. Careful shopping will ferret out Energy Star appliances that are comparable to or lower in price than regular products. Ask the store to recycle your old appliance.
• Use a power strip to plug in the television and other appliances that have a light. They draw energy even when turned off. Simply flip the switch on the power strip to turn it off completely.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs or, in hard-to-reach places, LEDís. CF bulbs last far longer and use far less electricity than incandescent bulbs. LEDís are the biggest energy saver and longest-lasting choice, but are pricey. It is worth using LEDís in hard-to-reach places.

Flooring

Many great choices are now available for sustainable flooring.

• Bamboo flooring is warm, attractive, and durable. Another good choice is cork, which is soft underfoot.
• If purchasing wood, look for those that are from responsible companies that use sustainable forestry techniques. Re-using old wood is another good practice and can be very affordable.
• Carpeting should be made of wool and backed with jute. Instead of gluing the carpet to the floor, attach it with tacks.

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Paint

You can make your natural paint for indoor and outdoor use. These paints are nontoxic and allow walls to breathe so moisture does not build up and cause health problems.

Cleaning and laundry products

There is no need to purchase all those expensive and toxic cleaning products.

• Make furniture polish by adding 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a cup of vinegar and storing it in a spray bottle. The vinegar cleans the wood and the oil protects it and leaves a nice sheen.
• Mix borax and baking soda half and half for a scrub that will efficiently clean your sinks and tubs.
• Now tour your house from attic to basement to garage and check for these possible improvements.

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Green Lifestyle Tips

Attic

• Do you have a whole-house fan? In climates with a hot summer season, using the fan to draw super-heated air from the attic will cool the house and reduce the need for air conditioning. Cover the fan for winter to keep out drafts.
• Check for moisture leaking around the chimney or walls, vents, or skylight. If you find signs of moisture, repair with caulk. Make sure there is proper ventilation. Vents in gable ends or in the soffit and ridge are recommended. If not, install vents.
• Is there a non-ionizing smoke detector? If not, install one.

Bathrooms

• Are all outlets protected with a GFCI? If not, install them now! For safety and environmental protection from unnecessary fires, always protect outlets with GFCIís. Hiring a qualified electrician to install GFCI circuit breakers in an older home not equipped with them is one of the best investments you could make.
• Are hair dryers, shavers, etc unplugged and stowed when not in use? Buy or build a handy place for this.
• Do you have water-saving appliances? Many communities offer tax credits and rebates for installing low-flow toilets. A low-flow showerhead is inexpensive and easy to install.
• Check to make sure mold and mildew are not growing in this moist room. Try 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil in 2 cups of water. Mix in a spray bottle and spray directly on the mold. Or try straight white vinegar. For an odorless treatment, combine 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.

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How to Live Green Eco Friendly Lifestyle

Bedrooms, living room, den

• If replacing furniture, look for products that do not contain pressed wood or use synthetic adhesives.
• If replacing the carpet, look for wool carpet with jute or hair backing. Use tacks rather than glue to install.
• Install a nonionizing smoke detector in every bedroom.
• If sheets are permanent press, wash several times before using. Organic cotton sheets are best, and the price is going down.
• If your drapes must be dry cleaned, look for a cleaner that uses nontoxic methods. Otherwise, hang the drapes outdoors for at least 6 hours before bringing them in.
• Throw rugs and area rugs should be untreated wool or cotton with nonskid backing.

Kitchen

• Cookware should be glass, ceramic, or stainless steel. Nonstick coatings leave chemicals in your food.
• Buy an inexpensive steamer for cooking vegetables. You will save energy and water.
• Store food in glass or stainless steel containers to avoid leaching from plastics.
• Surfaces next to the range should be heat resistant, either ceramic tile or stainless steel.
• If you have a gas range, the flame should be blue-tipped, not yellow. It should be vented to the outdoor air. It should use spark ignition instead of a pilot light.

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Basement

• Check for dampness in wall or slab cracks. If present, this will require repair.
• If pipes are sweating or the basement smells musty or moldy, install a dehumidifier.
• Do not store paints or flammable materials in the basement.
• If water is present after a rain, install a sump pump.

Green Lifestyle Tips | How to Live Green

It doesnít have to cost an arm and a leg when you go green for your home improvements. For How to Live Green, try this list of green home improvement companies when searching for earth-friendly components for your next home improvement project. We hope that these Green Lifestyle Tips inspire you. Good luck!

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