10 Ways to Make Your Home More Sustainable
The John Martin Nature Center at Flying Creek Nature Preserve in Fairhope started out as a home.
Converting the preserve’s visitor center to commercial use gave us a great opportunity to demonstrate sustainable upgrades that visitors can apply to their own homes. When it’s time to update your home’s systems or refresh the interior design, consider implementing these strategies to reduce your impact on the earth, promote a healthier indoor environment, and lower your utility costs.
Install programmable, or smart thermostats that learn your schedule. These help with energy efficiency by automatically reducing your heating and cooling based on your usage.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient LEDs. If you can’t change them all at once, start with the 5 light bulbs you use the most.
Install an efficient heat pump HVAC. If that’s out of reach, change your current system’s filters regularly. Clogged filters can reduce HVAC efficiency by 10% or more.
Upgrade insulation. In most homes, the attics are the most accessible place to start, and are often under-insulated.
Use a home energy audit to identify and seal air leaks. This will improve both comfort and HVAC efficiency, as well as protect your home against damage from condensation in the walls.
Choose certified low-emitting paints, finishes, insulation, furniture, and cleaning products to keep harmful chemicals out of the indoor environment.
Use a high efficiency water heater – the simple solar thermal water heater at the nature center heats our water with the sun!
Use ceiling fans to stay comfortable without wasting energy overcooling your whole home.
When it’s time to replace appliances like dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators, look for Energy Star certified models.
Use WaterSense-certified water conserving fixtures. Shower heads are easiest to upgrade, and saving hot water also saves energy!
Keep this list handy!
Click the image below to download a printable version.
