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Insulate your home -

Good insulation not only keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, but it also saves energy. Nowadays there are several eco-friendly alternatives, including cork and cellulose from recycled paper.

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Rethink your rooms -

Sun exposure is to be taken advantage of in every part of the house. Reevaluate your floor plan by checking which bedrooms have better sunlight exposure and how you are using them.

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Install an energy-efficient AC -

Energy-efficient air conditioners are a great way to save energy (and money), as well as reducing your carbon footprint. Check with your local hardware store and they should be able to advise you on the best options.

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Sustainable flooring -

If you’re looking to replace your flooring, reutilizing wood might be a good option. Other alternatives include cork, bamboo, and recycled glass. Not to mention that you can actually install carpets made with recycled plastic bottles and tires.

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Floor heating -

Installing hydronic radiant heating will ensure the house gets warm during the colder months. This is a more energy-efficient way to heat your home, when compared to forced-air gas heating systems.

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Solar panels -

If you live in a house, and in an area with enough sun exposure, then investing in solar panels will certainly pay off in the long run.

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Upgrade your windows -

Double-pane windows, particularly thick ones, can make a huge difference when it comes to saving energy. Good quality curtains and blinds can also help maintain the desired temperature indoors.

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Wash clothes in cold water -

Most of the energy used by your washing machine is to warm up the water to reach a certain temperature. You can reduce a lot of energy consumption by doing your laundry in a cold setting. You will find that most of the time this is enough to clean your clothes.

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Skip the dryer -

This might not be practical during the winter months or if you live in a humid area, but if you can, let your clothes dry naturally, either outdoors or by hanging the laundry on a rack and placing it in an area such as a balcony.

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Change your lightbulbs -

If you have regular light bulbs (e.g. fluorescent), swap them for LED ones. They will require less power and will last a lot longer.

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Thermostat -

Install a smart programmable thermostat. It will monitor and reduce energy consumption in your home. Plus, most will be connected to an app, so you can have control over the thermostat from your phone.

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Install a water filter -

This is a much better option than buying water bottles. There are many alternatives on the market, so buy one that suits your needs and overall reduces your plastic usage.

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Swap chemicals for natural cleaning products -

Using natural ingredients such as lemon or vinegar to do your cleaning is a greener option when compared to buying chemical cleaners, which also happen to come in plastic bottles.

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Get a compost bin -

Assuming you already have a recycling bin and that you separate waste, then getting a compost bin can be the next step to make your home greener. You can then use it as fertilizer in your garden (if you have one).

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Use a rain barrel -

Rainwater is superior to tap water when it comes to watering plants (i.e. contains more oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide). If you have a way to collect it, then certainly do so.

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Use power strips -

Instead of having numerous appliances on standby, why not plug them into power strips and switch them off when you’re not using them?

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Use cloths instead of napkins and paper towels -

Reduce paper use by opting for fabric instead. Sure, you’ll have to wash them, but you can just pop them into the washing machine when you do your laundry.

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Buy recycled furniture -

If you like vintage stuff, then this is a no-brainer. But even if you're not into the used stuff, it’s easier than ever to buy new furniture made from recycled wood and other materials.

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Grow your own veggies -

You don’t need much space to start growing your own organic vegetables, and the benefits are tremendous.

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Grow your own herbs -

The same goes for herbs. Plus, these can even be planted indoors. All you need is some sunlight exposure, so a balcony or windowsill will suffice.

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Consider a more eco-friendly lawn mower -

Why not swap your regular gas-fueled lawn mower for an electric or even a manual push one? There are several options on the market that work.

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Plant native plants in your garden -

Opt for native plants over other species. This is a way to work in harmony with nature and ensure your garden is more suited to the environment.

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Avoid plastic toothbrushes -

Most plastic toothbrushes are made using polypropylene plastic and nylon from fossil fuels. Millions of these are thrown away every year. Luckily there are other alternatives on the market, including those made of wood.

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Install a low-flow toilet -

You can save a lot of water per flush if you install one of these. Not only will it be more eco-friendly, but it will save you some money on the water bill.

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Install a low-flow showerhead -

The same goes for faucets and showerheads. There are plenty of options available today, and using one will substantially decrease water consumption.

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Use eco-friendly paints on your walls -

Some paints are more toxic than others. You can find water-based paints that are less toxic and have lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which in turn will increase the air quality in your home.

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Buy zero-waste toiletries -

From dry shampoo to soap refills, there are plenty of ways you can make your bathroom a greener place.

Sources: (House Beautiful) (Biofriendly Planet) (Architectural Digest)

See also: Thinking green: the most eco-friendly countries on the planet

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