Top Categories
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 199
- Garden / Landscaping — 181
- Appliance / Repair — 152
- Interior Design / Decor — 143
- Real Estate / Finance — 108
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 100
- Doors / Garages — 89
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 83
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 75
- Bedroom / Furnishings — 71
- Construction / Materials — 71
- Plumbing / Basements — 70
Latest Articles
Pros and Cons of a Home Move
Moving to a new place is a big decision that involves taking into consideration the many pros and cons of relocating. The move will come at a cost,...
on Apr 20, 2018
5 Warning Signs That You Need To Replace Your Windows
Windows can make or break your home decor. You might think there are not much of massive role windows play in the overall look of your home but...
on Apr 19, 2018
6 Reasons To Outsource Cleaning Services
Running an in-house cleaning service might look like a rewarding business in the long run, but contrary to popular belief, there is a lot more you...
on Apr 19, 2018
How to Start Your Real Estate Fix and Flip Business
If you’re looking for new career opportunities centered on real estate in 2018, consider home flipping. While real estate investing has long been a...
on Apr 19, 2018
Are Annual Maintenance Contracts For Your HVAC Unit Necessary?
A HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) system or unit is very important as it takes care of all the heating, ventilation and air...
on Apr 19, 2018
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...
46092 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...
43970 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...
42889 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...
24813 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...
14950 Views
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, utilising 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 a number of 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 subsidise home solar panels, and they can be a great way to reduce your homes 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 homes that are more sustainable, and there are various building practices that 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.
Most Recent Articles
- Apr 11, 2018 6 Ways To Enforce An Effective Pest Management Plan by Guest
- Apr 7, 2018 3 Humid Subtropical Household Pests and How to Spot Them by Larry Wise
- Apr 6, 2018 4 Ways to Watch for Pests When You Buy a New Home by Brandi Owens
- Oct 4, 2016 Repairs, Cleaning and Pest Control for a Better Life by Charlie Brown
- Jul 20, 2016 6 Common Risks Associated with Drinking Water Out Of The Tap by Sarah Trell
Articles Archive
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...
Helpful Tips on Selecting the Right Contractor
on Feb 24, 2010
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Selecting a reliable contractor can be a difficult and time consuming task, due to the fact the industry has a variety of terms, cost,...
Sponsored Articles
Smart Ways to Improve the Mood in Your Home with Minor Remodelling
on Jul 26, 2017
Improvements / Remodeling
Whether you know it or not, the theme or the way your home is modeled, as well as your immediate surroundings play a big role in the way you react...
Random Articles
Quick-Step Laminate Flooring: An Overview
In a society where the almighty dollar reigns, it is understandable that people jump at the chance for a discount alternative to a luxury item....
Tips For Fixing Blocked Drains
Having a slow moving or completely blocked drains can be a real problem. It can make showering difficult, and using the toilet impossible. If the...
Most Common Home Repairs Needed for Summer
Every season it seems as though your home needs a variety of repairs. Those that are important in the winter may not be vital in the hot summer...
Kitchen Counters: A Materials Overview
Kitchen countertops are available in an almost limitless array of materials and colors. Nothing beats granite for durability, stainless steel for a...
5 Important Considerations when Buying Lawn and Garden Sprinklers
You cannot own a garden and own up to zero maintenance efforts. You have to get dirt on your hands and feet once in a while. Because of this...