Turning your home into a more eco-friendly space doesn’t have to require a massive renovation right away. You can do simple things on your own that promote low waste and green living. Consider these DIY projects shared by Miami Green Living to help you start your eco-friendly journey.
1. Simple Ways To Reduce Water Usage
One study shows that homes in the U.S. use over 27 billion gallons of surface and groundwater every day. There are simple ways you can decrease the use of water in your home at little to no cost. For example, install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to decrease the amount of water you use in the bathroom. If you’re concerned about installing these features correctly, you can hire a plumber to help. They can cause up to $150 per hour. Therefore, make sure you read up on the company first. Do a quick search for a “local plumber near me” and check reviews and ask for proof of licensing and insurance before you allow them to work on your house.
2. Seal Your Windows
Improperly sealed windows are the top cause of excessive utility bills. If your windows are older, you may notice issues with the caulking around them. This is a project you can handle on your own. All you need is the right materials, and you can reseal the windows to stop incoming air from hindering your heating and cooling efforts. Additionally, home buyers typically service for utility use history on a home. This simple task of sealing the windows could increase your property value by lowering utility costs and creating a more visually pleasing window as well.
3. Use a Smart Thermostat
Heating and cooling systems account for a vast majority of the energy bills in a home. The benefit of a smart thermostat is that it learns how you typically adjust the temperature throughout the day and automatically does it for you. Additionally, you can program a smart thermostat to adjust at certain times of the day. For example, when you leave for work in the morning, program the thermostat to go up or down, depending on the season. Then, before you come home, you can program it to start getting the temperature where you prefer it. It saves on the energy bill and makes your home more comfortable.
4. Use Natural Cleaning Products
Natural cleaning products are a great way to make your home greener and save money. Hot water, white vinegar, and citrus form the foundation of many cleaning products. You can get your entire kitchen clean and fresh just with a spray bottle containing mostly warm water, a half-cup of vinegar, and several drops of orange and lemon essential oils.
5. Drink Tap Water
Most people are afraid of drinking tap water, but depending on where you live, it’s often no different than the distilled bottled water you drink. You can buy a pitcher with a filter for $30 and keep it in the fridge for fresh, cold water. The filter will significantly reduce the presence of hard metals and make the water taste better. Remember to check your local water statistics to ensure drinking tap is a healthy option.
Once you start implementing changes and seeing the decrease in utility bills, you’ll likely want to keep going. Continue looking for ways you can be more eco-friendly outside of the home as well. Before you know it, green living will be a natural part of your everyday life.
Miami Green Homes 
Leave a Reply