After celebrating Earth Day this past Thursday, there’s no better time than to learn about different ways for going green! Doing these small changes around you help will not only minimize your carbon footprint, but it can also help you save some money! Sustainable changes can happen overnight, so find a way to incorporate some of these techniques this week.
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Switch from Bottled Water to a Whole Home Water Filtration System
Did you know that by switching to a whole home filtration system you could save up to $870 a year? It’s true! There’s a simple breakdown of annual prices for bottled water. The average cost of one 16.9 ounce plastic water bottle is $0.70. On its own, this doesn’t sound bad! However, like all things- it adds up over time. With the average family of four consuming over 720 gallons of water, that $0.70 water bottle can make a huge impact in your wallet. Water bottle services aren’t much better cost-wise either. First, you’re paying for the water cooler which ranges in price from $99.99 to $159.99. Then, you’ve got monthly fees. For cost purposes, the company Ozarka charges $7.99 per gallon. On average, a family of four will consume 12, five gallon bottles a month. This is rounding out to $95.88/month, plus additional delivery fees.
So, go green and invest in a whole home filtration system. To make it extra green, buy reusable bottles so you can take your clean water on the go.
Don’t Throw Away, But Reuse, Repurpose or Sell!
You know the saying: reduce, reuse and recycle! However, have you heard of the fourth “R” for repurposing? Repurposing your items can save you money and reduce the amount of trash that ends up in our dumpsters. Besides, who doesn’t love a DIY project? Pull up Pinterest, roll up your sleeves, and create a new piece out of your existing materials.
If you’re not the DIY type, no worries. You can still maintain the mission of going green by recycling your items and selling them! Additionally, you always have the option of donating them to a local organization.
Buy Used
Just like you’re wanting to repurpose to sell your items, people are also selling theirs! Buying used goods is often discounted around 50%, saving you money and helping in the mission of going green. These goods are not requiring additional material to be created, helping with deforestation and metal manufacturing. This means it isn’t requiring additional energy to be used, and comes without bulky, wasteful packing material. There are so many reasons to switch to buying used goods, from both the economic and ecological standpoint. So, stop searching countless websites and use services such as:
Switch to Reusable Bags
This is a popular choice for going green, but nonetheless it’s an important reminder! It takes a thousand years for plastic bags to decompose, and our landfills are filled with them. Ditch the plastic and find reusable bags for your groceries, on-the-go necessities that are too bulky to hold, or for supplies! Here are great resources for finding sustainable reusable bags:
- Custom Earth
- Amazon
- Tote Bag Factory
- Standard Baggu and Baggu Giant Pocket Tote
- IKEA FRAKTA, SLUKIS and KNALLA Bags
- The Everyday Tote by June’s
- Chico Reusable Tote
Use Online Refill Delivery Service With Recyclable Shipping Material
Did you know that there are sustainable companies that ship cleaners to you? It’s true! There are so many sustainable cleaning companies for your home, allowing you to reduce plastic waste and use refillable bottles with concentrate. You’re saving on prices, lowering your waste amount, and providing your household with chemical and toxin free cleaners.
Not sure where to start? Check out these companies for going green inspiration.
- Branch Basics uses glass bottles with concentrate. All you need to do is add water!
- The Grove provides Earth friendly products.
- Blueland has tablets to dissolve in water with refills packed and shipped in compostable material.
- Thrive Market subscribes you to clean and effective products.
Energy Efficient Home Appliances and Features
If you’re looking to save on utility bills, you need to be more energy efficient in your home! Here are a couple easy switches for you to save big money in your space:
- Switch to energy efficient appliances such as a dishwasher, refrigerator, washer and dryer.
- Match the pot to the burner! Make sure you’re using a pot smaller than your burner to heat quicker and more efficiently.
- Energy saving light bulbs will save you cash and save the headache of switching bulbs out frequently.
- Run full loads of dishes and laundry to avoid using energy and hot water.
Reduce Paper Usage by Going Digital
Switch out from mailed billing invoices and send it to your email instead. Additionally, there are companies who work through a phone app, so managing your bills and payment history has never been easier! Ditch the mail service, reduce paper waste, and go digital today. With digital bills, you’ll never worry about keeping papers for records, instead just easily access them through an app or email.
Old Windows? Replace Them for Optimal Energy Use
Older windows can sometimes feel drafty. This means that there is wind that still gets through the seal between the window and the frame. This happens when the original glazing putty has grown fragile and brittle due to longevity. This can leave your glass window rattling in place, allowing for wind to get in your home. Vinyl and aluminum windows can have worn out gaskets and weather stripping, leaving them with the same result of leaking wind into your home.
When windows have drafts like this, your heating system is working twice as hard as necessary to keep your home warm with the fluctuating temperatures. This will only add to bigger heating bills and a larger energy loss.
- Double pane: double pane windows allow better protection for outside elements.
- Energy Star: Energy Star windows meet or exceed energy code requirements.
According to Energy Star, you can save $101 to $583 a year when switching from single-pane windows to Energy Star windows. It will also save 1,006 to 6,205 pounds of CO2, which is equivalent to 51 to 317 gallons of gasoline each year.
If you already have double paned windows and you’re looking to switch to Energy Star, don’t worry, you’re still getting savings as well! You can save between $27 to $197 per year, and saving 246 to 2,001 pounds of CO2. That is equivalent to 13 to 102 gallons of gasoline each year.
Use Natural Detergents, or Make Them Yourself!
In the art of doing DIY with home projects, you can also make your own laundry detergents. Here is a cheap, but very efficient, laundry detergent recipe that you can make in under and hour and for less than $15, courtesy of Joanna Gaines:
What you’ll need:
- A bar of soap such as Kirk’s Original Coco Castile Fragrance Free
- 1 cup of washing soda
- 1 cup of Ecos Oxo Brite
- ½ cup kosher salt
What you’ll do:
- Cut the bar of soap into chunks
- Add the chunks of bar soap into a food processor with the shredding blade
- Process the soap until there are no more chunks
- Switch the shredding blade to the chopping blade
- Add remaining ingredients
- Process until it is a fine powder
This recipe yields 3 cups of detergent. For use, use 2 tbsp per load.
Create a Garden
Having a garden is not only healthy, but a fun project that you can do with your whole family. You can grow your own fruits and vegetables, while teaching your children how important it is to nurture the Earth and take care of their bodies. Not sure where to start on making a garden? Follow Common Sense Home’s 10 easy steps:
- Figure out what you’d like to grow in your garden! A common rule of thumb is if you won’t eat it, don’t grow it. Therefore, if you hate tomatoes, don’t plant them.
- Choose a location.
- Plan your garden beds.
- Invest in some basic tools
- Test the soil
- Prepare the soil
- Choose the right seeds
- Plant with care
- Nurture your garden
- Enjoy the harvest.
Collect Rainwater to Water your Plants
No need to cry over rainy days! Collect the water so you can use it to water your garden. This way, you’re reusing water and not paying for city water. Your plants will thank you!
Go Solar
Switching to renewable energy like solar power is the best way to go green and cut your utility bills. By creating your own energy, your home is running on a renewable source. Additionally, if you’re generating more energy than you’re using, you can even sell it back to the grid. There are so many benefits to going solar, including low utility bills and increasing your home’s value.
Solar Panel Outdoor Lights
If you’re not ready to make the switch to complete solar energy, try switching to renewable outdoor lights first! These lights take in all the sun’s rays during the day time, and provide you with lights outside to keep away burglars and pesky pests.
Smart Thermostat to Understand Schedule
Switching to a smart thermostat can save you money. These thermostats can be put on a schedule to make sure that they’re only being used when you’re at home. They can be changed from anywhere with internet access! For instance, if you’re on vacation and you realized you forgot to change the thermostat, don’t worry. You can make the quick adjustment and save on your bills.
ONIT Home is Here to Help You With Going Green
If you’re looking to make the switch to solar energy or a whole home water filtration system, look no further. ONIT can provide you with a free quote, installation, and making sure that you’re set for life. Visit us online or give us a call today at 1-833-433-0331.
ONIT Home is offering bundling deals you can’t resist. We’re offering bundled purchases with a $1,500 voucher to use on water filtration, solar panels, or security systems. Or, you can receive a $2,000 security system for only $1,000 with the purchase of a water filtration system. If you’re ready to get rid of your electric bill and go solar, we have a two week installation with a free home security and water filtration system. Whatever your needs are, we’re ONIT. Visit us online or call us at 1-833-433-0331 to learn even more about this awesome deal.