Making your Midwest home more sustainable doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. There are simple ways to increase the efficiency and sustainability of your home that don’t require a huge expense. In this article, we’ll run through several ways to make your Midwest home more sustainable and eco-friendly.
Small changes like increasing insulation, switching lightbulbs, and switching to green cleaning products can help reduce the overall emissions from your home. Additionally, you’ll save money on energy bills in the long run.
Investing in solar panels and rain barrels can also help reduce your energy consumption and water usage. Additionally, they will help lower your energy bills and provide renewable energy for your home.
Reducing Energy Consumption
Installing Energy Star appliances and LED bulbs can also help your home become more energy efficient. Additionally, reducing the amount of energy you use while cooking and washing dishes is a great way to cut back on energy use.
For heating and air conditioning, installing a programmable thermostat can help you control how much energy you use. This will enable you to keep your home comfortable while still reducing energy consumption.
Encouraging Wildlife Into Your Garden
Creating a wildlife friendly garden is a great way to help support the environment in your area. Planting native plants is a great way to attract birds and other insects that are beneficial to the environment. Additionally, adding a birdhouse, bee house, or bat box can provide an additional habitat for these animals.
In addition, avoid using chemical fertilizers and pesticides on your lawn and instead use natural fertilizers and pest control methods like companion planting and interplanting.
Creating a compost bin can also help keep organic waste out of landfills and reduce the amount of emissions released into the atmosphere.
Adapting Your Home For The Seasons
Making small changes to prepare your home for specific Midwest seasons will help save energy. During the summer, use light-colored curtains to help keep the sun out and your home cooler. Additionally, open windows on cool days to let cooler air in and use fans to help circulate the air.
In the winter, adding window film and insulation can help to keep the warm air in. You can also add sealant to windows and doors to help reduce drafts. Additionally, use area rugs on cold floors and replace any worn caulks around doors and windows.
Tips for Sustainable Living in a Midwest Home
– Use energy efficient lightbulbs and appliances – Purchase rain barrels to collect rain water for garden use – Avoid using chemical pesticides and fertilizers in your garden – Use window films and insulation to keep warm air in during the winter – Switch to green cleaning products – Add native plants to your garden to attract beneficial wildlife – Use fans on cool days to help circulate the air
Conclusion
Making your Midwest home more sustainable doesn’t have to come at a huge expense. There are simple ways to increase the efficiency and sustainability of your home and help reduce energy and water consumption. From investing in solar panels and rain barrels to switching to LED lightbulbs and adding native plants to your garden, you can create a more eco-friendly home.