While it may feel as though you need to make massive changes if you are to make your home more eco-friendly, the truth is that there are smaller things that you can do. These can make a difference over time if you keep at it and make a consistent effort. Have a look below to see some of the ways in which you can make your LA home a bit more eco-friendly and make your lifestyle a bit more sustainable.
Get an Eco-Friendly Roof
If you need to replace your roof as a result of the current one being aged or suffering severe damage, consider getting an eco-friendly roof. A metal roof is one of the most eco-friendly roofs that you can get for your home. It has a long lifespan and will endure different climates effectively. At the end of its life, you can recycle it and minimize the material that ends up in landfills. A stone-coated steel roof is another amazing option to consider. This is because it’s 100% recyclable, has a Class A fire rating, is lightweight at a mere 1.4 lbs per sq ft, and has Class 4 hail impact resistance too.
Wash With Cold Water
When it’s time to do the laundry, it’s a good idea to use cold water. This will save you the energy you would have used to heat the water since a big part of the energy used by your washing machine goes into heating the water. Apart from using less energy, you will also keep your clothes in good shape for a longer time. Hot water can make your clothes less vibrant in a shorter time, wearing them out a lot faster than they should. Unless you’re washing a load with stubborn stains like grease and oil stains, then you can make do with either warm or cold water.
Buy Recycled Goods
Whenever you need to buy something, check to see whether it’s been made from recycled materials. This will help make things a lot better both for you and for the environment. You will be helping the businesses that recycle to grow as well, a definite plus for you. It should be easy to find recycled items to buy given the fact that about 69% of all steel, which is over 80 million tons, is recycled annually in North America. This is a good amount and one that other industries should aim to emulate in order to reduce the amount of inorganic waste in circulation.
Use Natural Cleaning Products
Another way to make your LA home more eco-friendly is to use natural cleaning products. From bathing soap to dishwasher and fabric cleaner, you can find natural products. You could even take it a step further and make your own cleaning products if you want to save money as well as help conserve the environment. Natural cleaning products will work the same way as their chemical-laden counterparts without the additional strain on the environment.
Get Solar Panels
Finally, if you can afford it, it’s a good idea to get solar panels for your home. This will cost a bit at the start, but you may be eligible for grants and funding, depending on the state in which you live. Over time, however, you will enjoy the savings that you can get out of having solar panels. Find out from a solar contractor if your home’s roof can hold solar panels before you finalize the plans to get them. The average residential roof size in America, according to Roofing Contractor, is around 1,700 square feet or 17 squares. Your roof’s size will dictate how much energy you can get from solar panels, so make sure to do the math first.
Use these tips to make your LA home eco-friendly and teach your family how to do the same. Do your best to stay consistent in your efforts and you may have an easier time living sustainably as time goes by.
