A new year has arrived, but not everyone is prepared for the new year. Many homeowners have put off prepping their homes for the year ahead, but it is never too late to give your home a boost for for the year ahead. The new year is also a good time to commit to being more eco-friendly as the current environmental crisis is only worsening and everyone can do their part to lessen their environmental impact.

It is a common misconception that going green is expensive and burdensome, but living an eco-friendly life is easier than you think as a few simple changes can generate a significant impact. Combine going green with preparing your house for year ahead to start the new year right.

Regular Maintenance

Keeping your house in a good state of repair might not be exciting, but it is economically and environmentally prudent. Maintaining your house and belongings helps to prevent future issues which will save you money in the long run while being green. It is much more eco-friendly to repair your house and items you already own instead of replacing damaged articles.

Regularly inspect your house for signs of damage and quickly remedy glaring issues. Many home repair projects can be done DIY, but don’t hesitate to call a professional if an issue is too complicated. Gaps in the seal around windows and doors lets air leak out of your house and provides an entryway for pests. Repair the seal by adding weather stripping or caulk. Leaky plumbing can lead to excess moisture and water damage. A leaky pipe can be fixed in a variety of ways including, plumber’s tape, epoxy, and clamps. Fallen branches in your yard are an attractive shelter and food source for pests. Grind down yard debris into mulch used to reduce weed growth and soil erosion.

Conserve Water

Water is a precious resource, but many people are unaware of how easily water is wasted. Make a conscious effort to turn off the sink while you brush your teeth, only run the dishwasher or washing machine when they are fully loaded, and take shorter showers in combination with a low-flow showerhead. A low-flow showerhead can save a family of four up to 160,000 liters of water. Also, consider a smart sprinkler system to keep your yard healthy without wasting water.

Better Light Bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs have been the standard for many years, but there are now readily available superior alternatives. CFL and LED bulbs are significantly more energy-efficient, longer-lasting, and brighter than traditional incandescent bulbs. The average incandescent bulb costs $90 in energy consumption over 10 years and an LED would cost $18 to run for the same amount of time. CFL and LED bulbs are more expensive, but because these bulbs use less energy, you end up saving money over time when compared to incandescent bulbs.

Green Toilet Paper

Toilet paper is something everyone uses but rarely think about. It takes at least 17 trees to produce one tonne of toilet paper. The average person uses 100 rolls of toilet paper a year and that adds up quickly. Instead of using standard toilet paper, look for bamboo toilet paper. Bamboo grows at an astonishing rate of 39 inches in 24 hours making bamboo toilet paper a sustainable alternative.

Going green needn’t be cumbersome or expensive. With some small changes around your house, you can lead a more eco-friendly life. Keeping your home in good repair helps prevent future problems and can save you money in the long run. Conserving water is important and as easy to do as just installing a low-flow showerhead can save a significant amount of water. Swap out old incandescent bulbs for CFL or LED bulbs to save energy and money. Save some of the world’s trees by opting for bamboo toilet paper instead of regular toilet paper. With these changes, you can prepare your home for an eco-friendly year.

Guest Post by Gwen Lewis

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