5 Ways to Reduce a Household’s Environmental Footprint
by Alex Cordier on Oct 19, 2016
A home’s environmental footprint refers to its overall impact on the environment, both in construction and when being inhabited. This includes elements such as the use of materials, the amount of waste and pollution produced, and the amount of ongoing resources it consumes, such as electricity and water.
As the environmental footprint of an average home has continued to increase, changes to resource use and waste reduction are required to ensure our way of life does not become unsustainable. Reducing your home’s environmental footprint can make a significant difference. By doing things like limiting water use, reducing waste, utilizing renewable energy, and using eco-friendly cleaning products, you can help to achieve a more sustainable society.
Water Saving
The conservation of water is one of the most important steps toward reducing the environmental footprint of a home. Many areas in the world are already under severe water stress, and if consumption continues at the current rate, this condition is only going to spread and get worse.
To reduce water usage in the home, you can employ several different strategies. Using more efficient showers and toilets will make a difference, and if you get new appliances, make sure that they are also water efficient.
With water catchment areas and other sources of supply coming under increasing stress, you can also consider strategies like harvesting rainwater. Your home can be fitted with a system that will collect rainwater and filter it for use in the home.
Solar Power
The use of solar power can make a big difference when it comes to reducing the environmental footprint of the home. Instead of using energy from a power plant, solar power does not release greenhouse gases into the environment.
While much of the electricity produced in many Western nations already comes from sources that are clean and renewable, the use of fuels like coal and gas are still major ecological issues. By fitting your home with solar panels, you can further reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and help to eliminate the pollution that comes from their burning. Many governments also offer rebate programs to subsidize home solar panels, and they can be a great way to reduce your home's power bill.
Eco-friendly Products
Many people do not realize the effect that certain products have on the environment. When we clean our homes and our bodies, the leftover waste from things like detergent, shampoo, cleansers, and polishes wash down the drain. If you use synthetics or harsh chemicals, this waste product can take decades to breakdown.
To relieve the stress that this puts on the environment, you can choose to use natural cleaning products. In recognition of the impact that these products have on the environment, companies have started producing ranges of eco-friendly cleaning products and natural body care. Choosing natural skincare products, shampoos and body soaps, natural surface cleansers and detergents for your dishes and laundry is a quick and easy way to reduce your home's environmental footprint.
Sustainable Building Products
If you want to have a more sustainable home, the best time to start is when the structure is being built. Many builders now specialize in building more sustainable homes, and various building practices can be employed.
In this, one of the most important considerations is the materials that are used to build the home. When building a sustainable home, the builder will select building materials that have the lightest impact on the environment. It could be timber, different types of concrete and earth products like bricks, stones, and straw bales.
Recycle Materials
In building the home, you can also make the process more sustainable by recycling and reusing building materials. If you are building a home, old materials like wood from floorboards, concrete, steel, bricks, aluminum, tiles, and glass can be reused or come from recycled sources. At the beginning of a building project, consider what recyclable and reusable products are available. In many ways, the performance of these materials will be just as their less sustainable counterparts.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
91154 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
72258 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
70877 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
50856 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
29859 Views
Latest Articles
The Appeal and Longevity of Natural Oil Finishes for Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors exude warmth, character, and timeless appeal in any home. To preserve and enhance these qualities, choosing the right finish is...
on May 17, 2024
Understanding Indonesia’s Real Estate Investment Laws for Foreigners
Indonesia, with its stunning landscapes, deep-rooted cultural heritage, and renowned hospitality, has emerged as a top destination for foreigners...
on Jan 25, 2024
Real Estate Development in Asian Cities
In many Asian cities, the rapid pace of urban development has led to the decline of historic districts, areas once teeming with cultural richness...
on Jan 25, 2024
Shower Envy: Elevating Your Bathroom with a Stunning Walk-In Shower
Are you tired of the same old routine in your bathroom? It might be time to consider a change, and one way to elevate your bathroom to a new level...
on Jan 22, 2024
Exploring Crowdfunding as an Innovative Approach to Real Estate Investment
The landscape of property selling has been transformed significantly due to the advent of property crowdfunding. This innovative approach,...
on Jan 10, 2024
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates
Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 263
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 200
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
Primer of Bathroom Remodeling
Bathroom interiors tend to be under-budgeted as compared to the rest of the home. Doing a bathroom area gets some of us to think about why to spend...
Tangerine Tango: How to Decorate with This Vibrant Color
Decorating with color can be tricky, and working with bright, bold colors can feel especially daunting. The color-powerhouse Pantone Color...
Tips for Getting the Bedroom of Your Dreams
Your bedroom is your sanctuary from the rest of the world. It very well could be the one place where you can escape all of the stressors and...
Why Windows are a Crucial Part of Home Improvement
Many people ignore the importance of windows when it comes to improving the design of their home. Glass is a versatile and beautiful material that...
Creative DIY Bedroom Storage Hacks
Having a unique piece of storage for your bedroom doesn’t have to be expensive. These cheap DIY storage hacks are easy to make and add a...