Eco-Secrets: 11 Under-the-Radar Ways to Green Your Home

When you think about making your home sustainable, you might think about expensive solar panels and energy-efficient appliances. While these investments can pay off in the long run, there are more effective ways to green your home. 

Explore 11 under-the-radar tips and tricks that can make a big difference.

1. Buy Recycled Furniture

Buying secondhand is one of the cornerstones of sustainability. However, people often associate this with clothes, silverware and decor, but rarely furniture. Skip trips to big stores and support thrift stores and local artisans. More and more businesses are offering items made from recycled wood or other materials, which can be more sustainable than buying a new one. You still get a new product — it’s just made from things that may have otherwise gone to landfill.

In addition to thrift stores and small furniture businesses, look at auction sites or garage sales. Who knows — you might even spot vintage furniture that complements your style.

2. Insulate Your Home Properly

A well-insulated home is an energy-efficient one. Around 45% of the heat lost in an uninsulated home escapes through the walls, so it’s the ideal place to start. Properly insulating your walls can help you cut energy costs. Installing fiberglass or mineral wool insulation is doable, while other types, like spray foam insulation, may require a professional.

3. Use Low-VOC or Zero-VOC Paints

These types of paint contain fewer volatile organic compounds (VOC), which can cause headaches, coughing, decreased lung function and impaired mental focus. These chemicals interact with nitrous oxides to form a greenhouse gas that can increase temperature in the atmosphere’s lower layers.

Look for companies that offer low- or zero-VOC colorants. The Greenguard label is a widely trusted certification to verify a product’s commitment to a healthier indoor environment. 

4. Install a Drip Irrigation System

Your garden helps improve your home’s overall sustainability. While gardening itself is an eco-friendly act on its own, there’s a way you can further your green efforts. Consider adopting a drip irrigation system — a method of watering that uses tubing features on the ground alongside the plants, reducing water and energy consumption. There are four types of drip irrigation:

• Soaker hoses: This method requires hoses with holes spaced evenly. They are placed alongside crops, shrub lines or vegetable gardens, letting the water seep slowly into the soil.
• Emitter system: These feature a series of small hoses with nozzles that slowly drip water into the soil. The emitter system is beneficial during summer or when rainfall is unpredictable.
• Drip tape: This easy-to-install system consists of drip tubing that lies flat until pressurized. You can cover it with mulch.
• Micro-misting system: As its name suggests, these systems consist of micro-sprinklers that can be used for flower beds, slopes and shallow-rooted shrubs.

5. Clean Your Refrigerator’s Coils

Dirty coils make your refrigerator inefficient, contributing to rising energy bills. Few people enjoy cleaning this part of the fridge, but it’s necessary for a greener home. They could be at the back, side or bottom of your refrigerator, behind a removable toe grill. Coils have metal tubes in a U-shaped grid pattern. If you can’t find it, use the manual for more information.

Here’s how to clean them:

• Unplug your fridge. Don’t worry about your goods getting warm — cleaning the condenser coil only takes a few minutes.
• If the coils aren’t in the bottom, they’re most likely at the back. Ask a friend to help you move the refrigerator until you have space to remove the coils.
• Use your vacuum’s narrow hose attachment to remove dust from the coils. Take the opportunity to clean the area behind and underneath your fridge.
• Scrape stuck dirt using a condenser coil brush or an old toothbrush.
• Return the refrigerator to its original place. Plug it in and turn on the power switch.

6. Install a Water-Saving Toilet

Toilets are responsible for nearly 30% of your indoor water consumption. If you’re wondering how to make your bathroom more eco-friendly, consider replacing your old toilet. Upgrade to an EPA-certified toilet that can use less than 1.28 gallons per flush, cutting down water usage compared to standard toilets that use up to 1.6 gallons per flush. This may entail more upfront costs, but it’ll help you save water and money on bills in the long run.

7. Use Cold Water When Washing Clothes

Cold-water washing is an excellent way to help the environment and save money from your laundry room. By default, laundering clothing could cause it to shrink, fade or become misshapen, shortening its life span. 

According to the American Cleaning Institute, the average U.S. household does 392 loads of laundry yearly. Switching from warm to cold washing can help you save 3.2 kWh of energy per load — enough to power a refrigerator for more than 300 days.

Making the switch can help save the environment and increase the life span of your clothes.

8. Upgrade Your Boiler

Old boilers use more energy to operate. Investing in a new boiler means bigger savings in the long run, as it’s more efficient. It can also help lower your carbon footprint. 

If you don’t want to replace your boiler, consider getting an air-source heat pump. When properly installed, these can provide up to two to four times more heat energy than the electricity it consumes.

9. Install a Rainwater Harvesting System

Collecting rainwater is a simple yet effective way to cut your water consumption. A rainwater harvesting system collects and filters rainwater before storing it below ground. The water can be used to flush toilets, outdoor irrigation systems and washing machines. Aside from reduced water consumption, this reduces stormwater runoff from your property, decreasing the volume in local streams and creeks.

10. Start Meatless Mondays

Animal agriculture industry is one of the leading causes of environmental degradation. Did you know that processing 1 pound of beef uses 2,500 gallons of water? Switching to a more plant-based diet can help cut emissions. If you’re not ready to fully commit to a new diet, implement Meatless Mondays at home. Take this opportunity to teach your kids the importance of eating fruits and vegetables.

Start with tasty recipes to win over picky eaters. Try carrots with dried cherries, grilled sweet potato chips and cauliflower fried rice.

11. Use All-Natural Cleaning Materials 

Many cleaning items contain harmful chemicals — including VOCs — that can irritate your eyes and throat and cause headaches and allergic reactions. Instead of using commercially available products, consider creating your concoctions at home. For instance, you can combine equal parts of baking soda and vinegar — about ⅓ cup each — to create a natural deodorizer.

Share and Implement These Eco-Secrets

The secrets are finally out — it’s your turn to make your move. Incorporating these impactful strategies can reduce your environmental footprint and boost your home’s sustainability. Don’t forget to share these tips with your fellow eco-conscious loved ones.