Many have this notion that going green is pricey. Moreover, one can easily imagine the hassle
of converting your home that utilizes eco-friendly technology. Yet, we have a moral obligation to
preserve our environment for our successors. The good news is you can start implementing
your green dream without shelling much cash by having these items in your home. Shall we
start?
LED Light Bulbs
Since the obsolescence of incandescent bulbs, Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) have
dominated the market. These use 70% less energy than your regular bulbs, last longer for years
and cost as low as one dollar apiece. However, CFLs are also harmful to the environment as
these contain traces of mercury. Light Emitting Diodes (LED), on the other hand, are safer
alternatives and these last from 20,000-50,000 hours. Now that’s five times longer than CFLs.
Your house has an average of 45 light sockets including pieces of furniture and sockets.
Replacing just four of these for LED bulbs can save you $ 100 per year. These bulbs do not only
last longer, but also consume far less electricity than fluorescent lamps. You might think LEDs
are far expensive than your current ones, but the price has become lower, and you can buy
affordable kits for only $10 – $15. Note that these will cost you less in the long run. Is your house
in the middle of construction? Perhaps you may opt for a flush mount type for your ceiling.
Vinegar
Amazingly, a gallon of vinegar that costs around $5 is a good alternative for cleaning supplies
for months. You may add some citrus essential oils to help ease the strong scent, especially if it
is your first time using it as a cleaning agent. Rest assured that the smell will disappear soon
after cleaning and you will be surprised to see its effectiveness in removing residues. Moreover,
vinegar also works wonders as a fabric softener.
Programmable Thermostats
We know winters can be very cold, so we need thermostats. It is advisable to buy
programmable ones because these can save you from unnecessary heating bills should you
forget to set the room temperature before leaving the house. These also come handy if you
have to stay longer or you are returning sooner than expected.
Tweaking the room temperature a bit may also save you as much as 30% of your bill while
reducing environmental emissions. Set your thermostat to 68°F whenever you are awake, then
make your room a bit colder when you sleep. During summer, you may put the room
temperature to 78°F and set it higher when you leave. Well, these depend to your liking, but
adjusting the temperature even by a degree may mean a difference in your bill.
Glass Food Storage
You may think plastic variants are cheaper, but these disposable and these produce toxins to
the food they store especially when heated. Contrary to popular belief, there are cheap
glasswares for as low as $22 (like Pyrex and Anchor), and you may use these for good! These
containers come in all sizes, making these very good replacements for their plastic
counterparts.
Low-Flow Shower Head
Using good low-flow shower heads is a great way to reduce water flow by 40%. That also
means saving water and money but remember to search for good ones. Some low-flow showers
have low pressure and sporadic spray which give you more time to wash the shampoo out of
your hair. This will leave you asking where the conservation in that case.
Cloth Napkins, Avoid Paper Towels
You think paper towels provide you convenience, but these cost more cash and cause more
harm to the environment. It takes three to wipe your hands clean and this only push the dirt
around at worst. Moreover, paper towels also contribute three times as much emissions than a
regular air dry. On the other hand, a box of washcloth from a thrift store only costs about $5 and
it lasts for years! You may also use these for purposes other than cleaning your hands.
Reusable Hygiene Products
Organic products are generally expensive, but you do not have to spend your hard-earned cash
in the market to ensure you are safe. Use refillable products for soaps, shampoos and the like,
and reusable clothes to address your hygienic needs. These do not only spare you from toxins
but also save you money from regularly buying synthetic napkins.
Your move to green living does not have to be that expensive. Some, however, require initial
investments that are more costly than your current lifestyle at first. You will realize that you are
saving more once you notice that these green alternatives last longer than its counterparts.