5 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE EFFICIENT WITHOUT SPENDING ANY MONEY | Sustainability Series

Here are 5 small changes to make your home more sustainable without spending a penny. The great thing about these strategies is that they reduce energy-usage while saving you money. And they don’t take a lot of time to implement! The hope is that changes like these can become habits in your home so that efficiency exists as part of your everyday routine.

1. OPEN THE WINDOWS

During warm seasons, instead of using an AC unit, open the windows to let the breeze in and increase air circulation. This will help cool your home and make the air healthier for you to breathe.

2. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR BLINDS & CURTAINS

Raise the blinds to let daylight in and avoid the need to turn on interior lights. If the sun is strong on one side of your home, leave these blinds down during warmer seasons to avoid heat gain.

3. TURN OFF LIGHTS.

Remember to turn off the lights when you leave a room or leave the house. If you have enough daylight in a room, try leaving the lights off all together.

4. WASH YOUR CLOTHES IN COLD WATER.

Unless you’re dealing with stains or smells, there’s no need to run your washing machine on the hot water setting. Hot water can actually deteriorate fabric over time. Try using the cold water or warm water setting to save energy and make your clothes last longer.

5. AIR DRY YOUR CLOTHES.

Energy-wise, it's better to air dry your clothes. Plus heat can break down textiles so skipping the dryer can help your clothes last longer.

Those weren't too hard, right? Do you already implement some of these items today? If so, let us know! Sometimes it's the littlest changes that make a difference in the long run.