It’s no secret that the world is changing. From air pollution to climate change, deforestation to a loss of biodiversity, there’s plenty of real issues that we face in this day and age. While it’s going to take all of us working together to truly make a difference, we can do plenty on our own to make sure future generations have a beautiful world to enjoy.
If you are environmentally conscious and want to make a positive impact, then there is plenty you can start doing this summer – along with your family – to go green.
Your team here at Smart Homes Construction is dedicated to providing eco-friendly home buyers with gorgeous smart home options. We truly care about the future of our environment and know that you do too.
Consider the following tips to start making a difference one day at a time.
Tips for Going Green This Summer
1. Separate Your Recycles, Trash, and Compost
Recycling is one of the easiest ways to start going green and the whole family can even get involved. Have your children decorate a reusable recycle bin and compost bin then play a game of tossing various items into the containers they think it belongs. They get a point for getting it right. Give the winner a small prize or treat.
2. Design and Decorate Your Own Water Bottle
Plastic water bottles are terrible for the environment. Not only do they end up as debris along our roads, bodies of water, and land, but millions of barrels of oils get used every year making them.
Instead of purchasing packs of water, consider purchasing a water jug dispenser and some reusable water bottles. You and your family can go green by decorating these reusable bottles instead of purchasing new cases every few days.
3. Grow Some Fruits and Veggies
What better way to smarten up your smart home than by planting your very own garden. Whether it’s growing your favorite fruits and veggies or even just planting your favorite flowers, having your very own garden truly is the definition of going green.
4. Forget the AC, Cool Down Your Body
The Rio Grande Valley can get exceptionally hot during the summer months and it’s easy to want to simply turn down the AC to cool down. However, instead of simply turning down the thermostat, consider:
- Living it up with some popsicles
- Enjoying plenty of chilled fruit or fruit smoothies
- Guzzling some ice cold water
- Placing an ice cold towel over your forehead
Sometimes beating the heat means thinking smart.
5. Go Green – For Real!
Planting trees around your home is one of the best ways to cool down your home in a natural way. Not only do trees provide plenty of shade, which helps to reduce your AC’s energy use, they’re also great for the environment and can help to offset some of your carbon emissions.
Going Green With Smart Homes
1. Smart Appliances
Smart home appliances like televisions, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, and dryers are energy efficient and also cost-effective. Smart appliances can help to save you anywhere from 10 to 30 percent on your energy bill, which is a step in the right direction if you’re invested in going green.
2. Proper Insulation
One of the first steps to ensuring an energy-efficient home is the status of your home’s insulation. Adequate insulation is one of the most cost-effective home improvements that can be completed and there’s plenty of eco-friendly options. At Smart Homes Construction, we use open-cell foam insulation to insulate your home, which helps to reduce your energy use substantially. That’s a win for the environment.
3. Smart Thermostats
Not only do you have greater control over your home’s temperature, even when you aren’t home, but smart thermostats are also excellent energy-saving devices. Smart thermostats save you money and can help you go green in the process.
4. Smart Lights
With smart lighting, you have the power to control the lighting levels in multiple rooms with just your phone or tablet. Also, smart bulbs are much more energy-efficient and can even be turned off when you aren’t at home, which helps you to reduce monthly costs. You’ll be saving money and helping the environment.
