Earth Day is April 22—but if you ask us, every day is a good day to celebrate Mother Earth.
The good news is that being more eco-friendly doesn’t mean you have to completely overhaul your house or your lifestyle. We’ve rounded up thirteen affordable and low-lift changes that will make your home greener and more energy efficient.
1. Install Faucet Aerators: Reduce water usage by up to 50% by adding aerators to your faucets. This little fix mixes air into the water as it streams from your faucets, meaning you automatically use less water without losing water pressure.
2. Seal Air Leaks: Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and other openings to prevent hot or cool air from escaping. It’s a small investment in caulk and weatherstripping that can save you big bucks on your energy bills.
3. Start Composting: Composting food scraps and yard waste is a win-win: It reduces the amount of trash in landfills and provides nutrient-rich soil you can use in your garden, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. You can designate a corner of your yard for a compost pile or buy a compost bin to transform organic materials, such as kitchen scraps, yard waste, and paper into “black gold.” Be sure to balance green and brown materials and turn the pile every two to four weeks to speed the process along.
4. Add a Rain Barrel: Installing a rain barrel doesn’t just capture rainwater that you can use later to water your plants, pots, and garden beds. It also reduces stormwater runoff that carries pollutants, debris, and sediment into streets and local waterways and can cause flooding. Read this article to learn how easy it is to set up a rain barrel in your yard.
5. Switch to LED Bulbs: LED bulb technology has come a long way—unlike the harsh, icy light of years past, you can now find LEDs that provide a soft, warm, and welcoming glow. Plus, they use up to 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. If you haven’t already replaced incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs, make the swap now and start saving money on your electricity bills.
6. Unplug Electronics: Prevent “phantom” energy use by turning off and unplugging electronics and appliances when you’re not using them. You may want to consider using power strips to easily turn off multiple devices at once.
7. Use a Programmable Thermostat: Save energy while you’re away from home or asleep by installing a programmable thermostat that adjusts your home’s temperature based on your schedule. This simple swap can pay for itself over time, according to Consumer Reports.
8. Insulate Hot Water Pipes: Insulate hot water pipes to prevent heat loss and reduce the energy needed to heat water, especially in areas with colder climates. Pipe insulation is affordable and easy to install: watch our video to learn how.
9. Line Dry Clothes: Take advantage of sunny spring days to line dry your laundry instead of using the clothes dryer. This not only saves energy but will leave your clothes, towels, and bedding smelling spring fresh.
10. Plant Shade Trees: Give your curb appeal a boost while reducing the need for air conditioning during the hot summer months by strategically planting shade trees around your home. Deciduous trees are your best bet, as they provide shade in the summer and allow sunlight into your home in the winter.
11. Upgrade Insulation: Improve insulation in your attic, walls, and floors to reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. Adding insulation is a relatively low-cost upgrade that can significantly improve energy efficiency—this article provides a step-by-step guide to sealing gaps where outside air is coming in, like around the attic hatch, doors, and windows and where pipes and wires enter your home.
12. Wrap Your Hot Water Heater: Adding an insulation blanket to your hot water tank reduces heat loss so your water heater doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the ideal temperature. This video explains how to install one:
13. Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances: When it's time to replace old appliances, choose energy-efficient models with the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR appliances use less energy and water to lower your utility bills and reduce your environmental impact.
