Earth Day Friendly Home Tips

Happy Earth Day! April 22nd is a day to celebrate our planet and raise awareness about environmental issues. At NE Insurance, we believe in promoting eco-friendly practices, and what better way to do that than by making changes around your home? 

Here we’ll get into some Earth Day friendly home tips to help you reduce your carbon footprint and live a more sustainable lifestyle.

But first, let’s take a moment to appreciate the significance of Earth Day. First observed in 1970 after Senator Gayord Nelson, Earth Day was created as a way to push back on the national government. Until then, there was no Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), no Clean Air Act, and no Clean Water Act, which means no legal or regulatory policies to protect our environment.

Earth Day has since become a global event that brings people together to show their support for the environment. It serves as a reminder that we must take care of our planet and make efforts to preserve it for future generations.

Now, let’s dive into some tips on how you can make your home more sustainable. 

Tips for an Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Home 

There is an abundance of ways to make your home more sustainable and green. Here are a few more Earth Day friendly home tips for joining the global celebration and making your home more planet-friendy:

Use energy-efficient appliances

Swap out your old appliances for more eco-friendly options. You can also install solar panels and upgrade your home’s insulation. Even just replacing your old showerhead with a WaterSense-labeled showerhead, you can save up to 2,700 gallons of water each year, which will also decrease the cost of your water bill. Install a smart thermostat to help regulate your home’s temperature and reduce energy waste.

Swap out older light bulbs for LED bulbs 

Making this simple switch can save the average household around $225 in yearly energy costs by using up to 90 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs.

Upgrade your water heater

Using water heaters with tankless or on-demand technology can save up to 34 percent on energy than storage tank models, and most can last over 20 years (compared to 10 to 15 years for storage tank models).

Upgrade your windows

Switch your windows to ones with Low-E coatings, which reflect heat in the summer and retain it in the winter, reducing the need for heating and cooling. Approximately 30 percent of residential heating and cooling energy is lost through windows.

Use eco-friendly cleaning products

Eco-friendly home products are free of harmful chemicals that can harm the environment and your health. The volatile organic compounds found in paints, aerosol sprays, dry-cleaned clothing, cleaning products, and building materials can cause a variety of negative environmental and health effects. Check out the TalkDirty app, an application that helps with finding harmful products in your home! 

Plant a garden or create a green roof

Greenery can help absorb carbon dioxide and improve air quality. Gardens not only provide a source of fresh, organic produce but they also help to absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants from the air, reducing the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment. Moreover, by planting a garden, you can help to support biodiversity and encourage the growth of native plants, which in turn provides food and habitat for local wildlife.

Change your daily routine

Another certain way to be more eco-friendly is by making changes to your daily routine. For example, you can reduce your water consumption by taking shorter showers or fixing any leaky faucets. You can also reduce your waste by composting food scraps and using reusable containers instead of single-use plastics.

Earth Day is a time to reflect on the impact we have on the planet and make changes to live a more sustainable lifestyle. By taking these Earth Day friendly home tips and making changes around your home, you can reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier planet. 

At NE Insurance, we understand that every home is unique and we offer customized policies to meet your specific needs. Our experienced agents can help you find the right coverage for your home and lifestyle. Contact us today to learn more about our homeowners and renters insurance policies.