While noble and cost efficient, solar panels can be an eyesore. But, there are ways to minimize your carbon footprint without sacrificing the beauty of your home. In addition to helping the environment, you can save money on your energy bill and increase your health. Here are just a few ideas of how to make your house green, healthy and beautiful.
Bring Plants Into Your Home
Plants can improve your mood, fight against airborne allergens and toxins and connect your home with the natural environment. Even a little bit of green scenery lets you connect with nature and feel more serene. Plus, the color green can help put your mind at ease and provide a welcoming environment for your guests.
Some plants also function as natural toxin removers. For example, the Lady Palm is known to eliminate ammonia and English Ivy can eliminate formaldehyde. If you live in a hot and sunny climate, consider succulents such as aloe that can remove formaldehyde and benzene, which are often in cleaning products and paint. So, instead of using tons of products and chemicals to remove smells, use any one of these plants to naturally remedy the situation. Not only will you save money but you also will make your home healthier and more environmentally friendly.
Implement Eco-Friendly Lighting
Another way to boost your eco-friendly motives while re-decorating your home is to switch out your light bulbs. Get rid of energy-sucking compact florescent light bulbs (CFL), and switch to more cost-efficient light-emitting diode lighting (LED).
By switching 25 bulbs from CFLs to LEDs, you will save $6,668.75, or over 50,000 hours of usage for your household, according to Energy-Saving Solutions. This is an easy switch if you have a lot of lamps or lighted ceiling fans; however, if you have an old chandelier, which more than likely is using CFLs, you might want to update to a more modern look affixed with energy-saving LED lighting. Also, when switching these bulbs, consider implementing a dimmer system to help regulate the amount of light being used and even to create some ambiance.
Regulate Light With Solar Shades
Reduce your carbon footprint and your electricity bill by installing solar shades. While blinds and curtains are good ways to cool your home and regulate lighting, there are many advantages to solar shades. They will simultaneously block harmful UV rays and also allow you to see outside as opposed to opaque blinds, which will block out the views that made you fall in love with your home in the first place. Natural light also can improve the overall attractiveness of your home.
Solar shades also can be helpful tools for regulating the temperature in your home. This will give you an opportunity to curb the use of your air conditioning or heater. On a warm day, you can shut the shades to help cool your home, and on a cold day, you can keep the shades open and utilize the heat from the sun to warm your home. This will both cut down on your electricity bill and be more environmentally friendly.
