Everyone is attempting to go 'greener' these days, whether this comes to their lifestyles or their homes. Here's what to look for to make sure you are living as eco-friendly as possible.
What to look for in an eco-friendly home
When searching for your ideal eco-friendly property, there are certain features you want to keep an eye out for. But of course, this all starts with a home you can afford. Therefore, you can start by keeping an eye out for properties that will suit your budget as well as your preferences. Start by researching the current real estate market. If it’s a buyer’s market, this means that there are a large number of houses available which could drive prices down.
Check that the home is well insulated
If you want to save on energy bills and help save the environment in the process, then looking for a property that is well-insulated is one way to do this.
Choose a property that has plenty of natural sunlight
Another way to save on energy bills is to select a property with plenty of natural sunlight. Ideal orientation is a term you may want to bring up to your realtor to find a property that gets lots of sun but is not so hot that it becomes unlivable.
Look at the flooring
You can tell the eco-friendliness of a home by looking at its flooring. For example, if you see sustainable wood flooring, then this is a good indication that the home itself is built with eco-friendliness in mind.
Solar paneling
Many modern homes nowadays are built with solar paneling to harness the sun's natural energy. So, if you can find a home with south-facing solar panels on the roof, then you can be pretty certain that this is a good match for what you're looking for.
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Practical habits to enhance in your eco-friendly home
Along with buying an eco-friendly property, it is also a good idea to look at practical ways you can adapt your lifestyle to complement your eco-friendly property.
Try LED lighting
LED lighting is one of the most economical and energy-efficient lighting there is. Plus, you can get a variety of LED lighting choices to suit the functionality of a room or space within the home.
Install a water filter
Installing a water filter to your water supply can help you purify water at home. This way, you can put an end to buying bottled water if you have fallen into this habit in the past.
Make it a habit to recycle
Recycling has also become commonplace in many homes because of its positive impact on the environment. You can choose to use tools to help remind you of what can be recycled if you're unsure about the recycling qualities of different types of plastics. Furthermore, recycling becomes easier and easier to do once you get into the habit of it.
Reduce your consumption of meat
Reducing your consumption of meat is an excellent way to help combat global warming. So, if you are keen on becoming healthier and helping the environment while simultaneously cutting down on your food bill, opting for more fruit and veggies over meat should do the trick.
In summary, if we choose to live more purposefully by carefully considering how our decisions will affect the environment, we can make positive strides in the right direction to create a better world for all.
by Michael Bourke
Image via Pexels
