{"id":3146,"date":"2018-11-12T16:30:33","date_gmt":"2018-11-12T11:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homedecorbuzz.com\/?p=3146"},"modified":"2020-04-18T00:04:22","modified_gmt":"2020-04-17T18:34:22","slug":"how-to-make-your-home-more-sustainable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homedecorbuzz.com\/how-to-make-your-home-more-sustainable\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Your Home More Sustainable"},"content":{"rendered":"
In a recent interview, Earth and Atmospheric Scientist Natalie Mahowald<\/span><\/a> emphasizes the need for a complete transformation in the way we live. The lead author of the United Nations’ Special Report on Global Warming cites energy conservation, food waste, and sustainability as some of the key issues humanity must address in light of climate change. Otherwise, the world will see disastrous consequences by the year 2040.<\/p>\n In this regard, Mahowald explains that the best place to begin is with ourselves and our own choices. True enough, more and more homeowners are factoring in sustainability when it comes to their home design and everyday practices.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to make your own house more sustainable:<\/p>\n Lighting is one of the largest contributors to a typical household\u2019s energy consumption and monthly bills. To save energy, an article on Medium<\/span><\/a> suggests switching to LED lighting. These consume less energy compared to incandescent lights \u2014 and will save you some 400 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Use natural light as much as possible, too.<\/p>\n Moreover, opt for pieces of furniture that are made from recycled or reclaimed materials. When you\u2019re buying furniture<\/span><\/a>, make sure you get ones made using nontoxic natural glues, organic fabrics, latex foam, and wool batting. You can also use woven jute fiber rugs for your floor instead of synthetic carpets.<\/p>\n Install a rainwater harvesting system in your home so you can use rainwater to flush your toilet, clean your home, and water your garden. You can also plant your own herbs and vegetables \u2014 or better yet, grow an entire garden<\/span><\/a>. A good landscape design can warm your home during winter and cool it during summer, especially if you have plenty of trees. Fruit-bearing trees would be great, too, if you want a free source of nutritious desserts.<\/p>\n Grid electricity can be really expensive, especially if it’s your home’s only source of energy. If you can’t afford to fully transform your home into a solar-powered one, you can designate certain parts of it to use solar energy<\/a><\/span> instead.<\/p>\n Popular Mechanics<\/span><\/a> shows you how you can make a solar oven, which allows you to passively heat your food through sunlight. For riverside households, you can use hydropower for your home. This option is even better than solar and wind energy as it can produce 10-100 times more electricity.<\/p>\n Recycled materials have less impact on the environment. But if you can’t make major changes in your home, you can switch some of the elements in it to make it more sustainable. This can even come in the form of small changes like finding eco-friendly materials for your doors or windows.<\/p>\nChoose eco-friendly interior design and furnishings<\/h3>\n
Don\u2019t take the natural resources around you for granted<\/h3>\n
Find a different source of energy<\/h3>\n
Use eco-friendly building materials<\/h3>\n