How You Can Save Money via Green Living DIY Projects
In most cases, making some significant green construction improvements to your home will benefit the environment as well as help you save in the long run. However, if your budget does not allow you to install a new solar system or water heater, then there are many other green DIY projects which can turn your home a little bit greener.
DIY Maintenance
Making sure that everything in your home is functioning is the first step to a more eco-friendly home in most cases, as this can minimize waste and save you money.
If your faucet is leaking, you can tighten it first and then if that doesn’t stop the drip, you can repair it by replacing the washer or fixture.
Dirt and dust on some of your appliances may cause them to pull more electricity than what is needed. For example, refrigerator coils radiators and ventilation systems should be cleaned regularly to keep them efficient, and to extend their lifespan.
If you notice drafts coming from your front door or windows, you can fix this problem by sealing the gaps with weatherstrippings or chalk for example. Your HVAC system will run more efficiently if you keep your home properly sealed. Another economical way to keep your windows insulated is using the insulating drapes.
Easy Replacements
Replace the workings that go inside the toilet tank or opt for an entirely new low flow toilet. The water you save in the long run with such a replacement will pay for the toilet itself in the long term.
Shower heads are easy to replace, and by swapping your old shower head for a new energy-efficient one, you won’t waste the water.
The easiest eco-friendly adjustment one can make in the house is replacing old light bulbs with energy-efficient ones such as halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). These bulbs do cost more, but they last much longer and use less energy, which makes them evidently more energy-efficient.
Instead of using the tumble dryer, add a clothesline outside and use that instead. Besides from saving your electricity during the summer, your clothes will smell like sunshine.
Start a Vegetable Garden
The commercial growing and distribution of food cause a lot of greenhouse gases from fertilizers and chemicals, as well as energy and irrigation systems used for packaging and transportation. If more people started to grow their food, the impact on the environment would be less. By growing food at home, you help the environment, and you save some money, besides there is nothing healthier than the food you picked from your garden. If you think you don’t have enough time to start a garden, maybe you can start small by growing herbs indoors.
Rainwater Harvesting System
A great addition to your new garden or even just your yard would be a rainwater harvesting system. There are many types of rainwater harvesting system on the market, but in most cases, it is not so complicated to do it yourself. Rainwater harvesting systems are great for watering your lawn or if you need to wash your car as you do not have to pay for the water you use. It is as simple as placing a barrel next to your home and waiting for the rain to come.
Think Outside the Box
If you have the inspiration and feel creative, almost anything can become a DIY project. DIY projects around your home help to cut your expenses by finding alternative ways to create something instead of calling “the guy” or buying some overly expensive items on the rack. Thanks to the technology, we are just a click away from DIY projects like cleaning out your homes gutter to making homemade dishwashing liquid.
As technology is moving forward, the awareness of sustainability, green appliances, and eco-friendly construction methods are in the spotlight, making our green choices easier. However, it is still our responsibility to think sustainable and try to avoid wasting electricity and water in our homes. Making some simple decisions like plugging out unused appliances during the day brings us one step closer to a more sustainable lifestyle.
