bookmark_borderSmart Ways to Save Energy at Home While Living a Healthy & More Sustainable Lifestyle

There are many ways to save energy while living a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. From small things to huge investments, conserving energy is an excellent way to help the environment and save money on energy bills. Here are some of the best ways to save energy in your home:

A picture of energy on the top of a house

Insulate Your House

Did you know that the difference between the exterior and interior temperature affects the air conditioner and the electricity bill? The cold breeze you want to enjoy in your house will cost you more because most of it finds its way outside. Make sure that your home is well insulated to save money on energy bills and reduce your impact! Additionally, check your air conditioning ducts to see if they are faulty, blocked, or disconnected. A faulty duct cannot move cool air through your home as excellently as it is supposed to do. This means that you will pay more for air that is escaping. I suggest getting the system fixed by professionals such as 24 Hour AC Repair.

Use Energy Efficient Appliances

Consider replacing the most energy-intensive appliances with better, efficient energy models. This will help you cut your energy cost by almost half! If you decide to buy an appliance, try to compare the cost of buying to its annual functioning cost. Remember that energy-efficient appliances might have a higher purchase price, but their operating costs are usually lower. Also, when purchasing these energy-efficient appliances, check for energy star labels. This is a guarantee that the product will consume less energy when in use than when on standby!

Use LED Lights

LED lights have the potential to change the future of global lighting. Most LED lights use less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent lighting. Buying LED lights can be costly; however, the energy efficiency and high durability tend to make up for the extra costs. Make sure that you replace the old incandescent bulbs with LED to save energy.

Wash Your Laundry in Cold Water!

Today, detergents work the same way in both hot and cold water. And by just switching from hot to cold and reducing the average loads per week, you will be able to cut on energy costs. You can use hot water only when you want to disinfect your clothes; however, I have found that using tap cold makes your clothing last longer too.

Use Natural Light

Instead of turning on the lights during the day, open your curtains and use sunlight! Such an easy way to save energy. Alternatively, you can make the most out of the sunlight using bright décor ideas, like tactically placing mirrors on the wall. Additionally, whenever you leave a room, make sure that you turn off the lights. Make this a habit, and you can save a lot of money on your monthly energy bills.

Try Solar Power

Using solar-powered systems can significantly reduce your energy bills and save you money. Having solar panels means that your home will be using the sun to provide electricity at all times, except during rainy seasons. You will only have to pay for electricity when the sun is not shining or during thunderstorms.

The Bottom Line

There are many other ways of saving energy at home. For instance, you can install energy-efficient windows, use a smart meter, unplug unused devices and spend less time in the shower. The above energy-saving tips will help you save money on energy bills, increase your property’s value, and protect the environment, hence reducing your carbon footprint. Give it a try!

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderHow to Have a More Sustainable Wedding

Hey earth muffins! The wedding industry is one of the biggest industries in the world. But, as with any big industry or event, it can also end up not being great for the environment. In between the food waste, things such as favors being left behind, and all the people traveling from around the country (or even the world) to attend your wedding, it can have a pretty big impact on the global footprint. A study found that a single wedding can produce as many emissions as five people would in an entire year – which is an awful lot for just one single day! In order to have the best day of your life (because after all, that is what weddings are all about!) but get rid of some of the guilt, there are some things you can do to make your wedding day that bit more eco-friendly. Here are some top ways to make your wedding more sustainable.

A picure of a man and woman kissing at their wedding

1. Think carefully about your favors.

Wedding favors are something that everyone gives out but can actually be pretty wasteful. Most favors tend to be left behind at the end of the wedding or create extra plastic waste. In order to avoid this, it is a good idea to think of favors that can be consumed at the time or something that is eco-friendly. One example of eco-friendly favors includes giving out little plants or seeds that can be planted. You could also give out shots or food in glass jars which prevents over-production of plastic and can be recycled or used again. I personally have a massive mason jar collection, so I’d love the memories associated with a special person’s wedding every time I use that jar.

2. Choose a venue that is committed to being sustainable

When choosing your venue, speak to them and see if they have a commitment to sustainability. Make sure to do your research into if they care about things such as recycling, the air quality of the building (you could suggest DUCTZ air duct cleaning), and if they have a commitment to reducing food and water waste. Remember to avoid any greenwashing as much as possible and do your own research on the venue too! Some hotels suggest guests put their towels in the bath if they want them to be cleaned, otherwise, they won’t clean them. Using a towel more than once can greatly reduce water waste! Venues might also grow their own food on-site or compost food waste, which showcase their commitment to the environment too.

3. Use eco-friendly confetti

Confetti is another wedding staple that can end up being bad for the environment. Traditional confetti is usually made out of microplastics and can have metallic elements which are made of metal. These materials can wash down drains or be blown into the air and left in the countryside which can cause damage to all sorts of wildlife. Birds, sea creatures, and animals can all be harmed if they ingest this type of confetti. Because of this, one of the best types of confetti you can use is to stamp confetti from leaves or dried flower petals. Plus, just imagine the cute pictures!

4. Encourage shared transport

With a wedding, you have multiple people all traveling to the same destination which isn’t great for Mother Earth. Instead, why not look into shared transport? You could hire a minivan or a coach and then everyone can travel up together. This can end up being more cost-effective and also means there are a lot fewer cars on the road all heading to the same place. It will also be a fun way for you to all get-together and catch up and get excited about the upcoming wedding!

5. See if you can get items second hand

There are many websites where people will sell items that they have used in their wedding but don’t need anymore. After all, once your big day has happened, it is unlikely you’re going to need 12 centerpieces again in a hurry! Second-hand items prevent them from being wasted and give them a second life. It is much better for the environment and you are likely to grab a bargain with them too! Check out sites such as eBay, Facebook marketplace, or even borrowing from a friend. This doesn’t just apply to decorations; you could also use a family wedding dress as well! Getting an already made gown tailored to your liking is much cheaper than buying a new one. Plus, you will get exactly what you want and have a unique dress that no one else has.

These are just a few simple ways that you can have a more sustainable wedding. By doing so, you will reduce the carbon footprint that weddings can bring while enjoying your “best day ever”. Do you have any tips for a more sustainable wedding?