19 Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

Reducing your impact on the environment starts at home. Here are several ways you can make your home more eco-friendly:

1. Reduce your energy usage. Using less energy is one of the most impactful ways you can reduce your impact on the planet. Try turning your thermostat down at night or when you’re out of the house, hanging your laundry to dry, and turning the lights out every time you leave a room to save energy and money.

2. Switch all of your light bulbs to LEDs. LED bulbs use up to 75% less energy and can last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs!

3. Switch to Energy Star appliances to increase your home's energy efficiency. Find Energy Star products and appliances here. 

4. Invest in a smart thermostat. By allowing you to adjust the temperature from your smartphone and automatically self-adjusting based on the current weather, smart thermostats can help keep you comfortable when you’re home and save energy when you aren’t.

5. Turn down your water heater. Water heating accounts for 18% of the average utility bill. Turning down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F) can help reduce your energy consumption.

6. Make your home more energy efficient by replacing your air filters, updating your insulation, having your HVAC system inspected and serviced, cleaning your air ducts and vents, and sealing your air ducts and any air leaks. Taking these steps can help your heating and cooling system run more efficiently, saving energy and money.

7. Clean your home with environmentally friendly cleaning products such as Seventh Generation, Blueland, or Grove Collaborative, or make your own household cleaners with simple, non-toxic ingredients such as baking soda and vinegar. 

8. Use cold water for your laundry to reduce energy usage. You can also hang dry your clothes as an eco-friendly alternative to the dryer.

9. Reduce your water usage by being mindful when you’re washing dishes, brushing your teeth, or taking a shower. You can also install a low-flow showerhead to reduce your water usage.

10. Live waste-free and plastic-free by using wool dryer balls, paper towel alternatives, Stasher reusable snack bags, or Bee’s Wrap beeswax food wrap. Check out this blog post for more tips on living plastic-free.

11. Decorate your home with upcycled or thrifted decor, rather than buying brand-new furniture and decorations. Check out these creative ideas for upcycling!

12. Donate your old clothes, furniture, books, toys, and other household items rather than throwing them away. You can also recycle old clothes at H&M!

13. Recycle more—and better. Recycling is an important way to reduce waste, but it’s only effective if you do it correctly. Check out our Recycling 101 guide for tips!

14. Reduce the amount of food you waste. Food waste is a serious environmental issue. Be more diligent about cooking, food shopping, and eating leftovers to cut back the amount of food you throw away.

15. Start composting. Composting is a great way to enrich soil while keeping food waste out of landfills, where it takes up space and releases harmful methane gas. Check out our blog post for composting tips!

16. Eat more plant-based foods. Eating a plant-based diet can have significant positive impacts on the environment. Try giving up meat at least one day a week to reduce the impact of your meals. 

17. Grow your own produce in your garden or in planters. You’ll reduce the environmental impact of your meals—as well as your grocery bills!

18. Make sure your landscaping is environmentally friendly by following these tips.

19. Choose clean energy! With CleanChoice Energy, you can power your home with 100% clean, renewable energy from wind and solar sources, with no fossil fuels. Sign up for clean energy today!