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There are many different approaches to sustainability. In the extremes, you live entirely off the grid. You use the sun and wind to power your home; you pump your own water, you grow your own food. Most of us won’t be able to completely disconnect from the rest of society like that, and that’s perfectly okay. Every small step you take to make your home sustainable will help your health, your well-being, and your finances.
Make your home sustainable and Save Money By
Sustainability is a strange concept. Sustainable products cost more typically because of their improved production methods that, at the very least, aim to pay their producers a living wage. Making your home more sustainable, however, doesn’t have to cost a lot, and more importantly, will help you save a lot in the long run.
Improving the Insulation in Your Home
Though it is rare that your home will be insulated with asbestos in 2020, there is still a chance if it is an old home, and that particular upgrade hasn’t been made yet. If that is the case, improving your insulation isn’t just important to help you save money and use less energy; it is a health hazard.
Otherwise, only aim to add or improve your insulation if there are significant issues. Suppose you experience dampness regularly, water damage, or drafts. In that case, upgrading your insulation isn’t just good to help you use less energy, but also important to improve the health of your family and the longevity of your home.
Improve the Efficiency of Your Home
Use less energy, save the environment. Use less energy, save money. It is one of the best-combined strategies to make your home and life more sustainable, all while treating yourself to a luxurious result.
If you are on a tight budget, you can use textiles, especially thick curtains, to cover the areas that leak out your hot air the most – windows and doors. Rugs and even textile wall hangings are also great for the design of your home and do wonders at making it feel warmer.
Invest in Solar for Your Home
Solar panels can do so much for your home. With a battery, you can store and use your solar energy in your home. With a solar water heater, you can forget about the high cost of hot water. You could even double your pool season with a solar pool heater. There are so many great ways that solar can help you save, save, save in your home, and even more, incentives to get you started.
You can save on your Custom Solar and Leisure Tucson solar system with both the federal tax credit, which will allow you 30% of the solar installation’s cost through tax credits. For Arizonians, you will also be able to enjoy up to $1000 in tax credits. Though the upfront cost can be difficult, you will make much of the money back in saved or returned taxes. In return, you can save as much as $90 per month on your energy bills.
Go Zero Waste
Zero-waste, like many sustainable options, cost more at the start and then helps you save money from there. You don’t have to be perfect at it, either. Simply opt for the sustainable, durable material for items you use regularly. Instead of paper towels, use a washcloth. Instead of plastic baggies, use reusable containers. Instead of getting coffee to go, get a reusable cup. These little switches start to really add up and help you save.
Make your home sustainable and Improve Wellbeing By
Sustainability goes hand in hand with wellbeing. We often move too fast, too much, and too chaotically for our minds and bodies. Stress piles on, we feel fatigued and generally unhappy or unwell in our everyday lives. Though those with clinical mental illnesses like depression or anxiety should always seek out professional treatment, for many, you can see a significant improvement to your mental health and wellbeing by adopting a more sustainable lifestyle.
Enjoying Slow Hobbies
One of the best ways to live more sustainably is to work with your hands. Gardening is one of the best options for you. Though you would have to cover your home floor to ceiling with plants to really make a significant difference to the air quality in your home, plants do play a significant part in improving your well-being and mental health. Grow fruits and vegetables, and you have organic, fresh food as you’ve never tasted before right in your home.
Working to Reduce Your Waste
Being more mindful and buying things that are in either recyclable (not plastic, as this is rarely recycled properly) packaging or in no packaging, can do wonders for your consumption habits and your wellbeing. There are options nowadays to have fruit and vegetables sent to your door that were surplus from restaurants or too irregularly shaped for supermarkets. This cuts down on the bigger food waste problem; you get to try and enjoy seasonal produce and save money all at once.
Reducing Consumption
Reducing how much you buy can actually help you be more appreciative and happy with what you have. If you are always on the hunt for the next thing, you never give yourself time to appreciate what you have.
This applies to everything, from Knick Knacks to clothes. Clothes, in particular, are a problem for many modern people, who tend to wear just a small percentage of their wardrobe. Instead of buying something new, challenge yourself to fashion challenges, rediscover what you already own, and really develop a new relationship with all of the items you have. In doing this, you can save money, love what you have, and build a more beautiful home.
Biking and Walking More
Being outside in nature is scientifically proven to improve mental health and wellbeing. So get outside. Go for more walks, or use a bike. Both options are exceptional for your health and wellbeing. You’ll even be able to explore more of your neighbourhood!
