Putting an emphasis on sustainability as a new homeowner can be a challenging, but not impossible transition. Whether you’ve just purchased your first home, or you’re already starting to settle in, it’s important to make eco-friendly choices as a homeowner. Use the tips below as your guide to making sustainable living choices in your new home.

Create
Less Waste

If
you were to assess the amount of waste you create at home on a weekly
basis, you’d probably be surprised at how much you end up throwing
away. Though it might not feel as if your household’s waste is a
major problem, being more mindful with your consumption can
significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

Start
by looking for traditional single-use products that you can buy in
reusable form. Anything you dispose of regularly at home for one time
use can most likely be purchased as a reusable product. From washable
makeup wipes to beeswax wraps for sustainable food storage, making
the transition to a little to no waste home has never been easier.
While you don’t have to replace every item you use at home with
eco-friendly alternatives, it never hurts to look into your options
by doing some simple research into
how to use reusable products.

Monitor
Utilities

From
taking long showers and regular baths to cranking up your thermostat
during the winter months, your utility usage does in fact have a
significant impact on the planet. Energy usage at home impacts your
carbon footprint and can also affect climate change depending on the
strength of the emissions your home produces. Monitoring your utility
usage at home allows you to hold yourself accountable the next time
you might be worried about sustainability.

Some
of the easiest ways to limit your utility usage are by timing your
showers, lowering your thermostat by just two or three degrees, and
by only keeping lights on in rooms you are currently using. While
most of these tips seem easy, you might find them to be a bit more
difficult to remember if you aren’t fully committed to the process.
Start small by working towards one goal at a time, and the other
positive changes are sure to follow.

Invest
in Solar Panels

You
can also make your home more eco-friendly on a larger scale by
installing solar panels. Besides reducing or in some cases completely
eliminating your electric bill, making the switch to the use of solar
energy is the perfect way to fully embrace sustainable power at home.
Installing solar panels will eliminate the possibility of dangerous
energy emissions from your home. It will also help reduce your carbon
footprint while adding value to your current home.

It’s
no secret that making the switch to using solar panels can be a bit
pricey. However, installing these panels is a valuable home
improvement strategy that can save homeowners a significant amount of
money in the long run and can be a strong selling point for your home
in the future. If you’re unsure of how you’d be able to fund a
solar panel addition, a great financial starting place would be to
look into how
a home equity loan works
for the future. Home equity loans offer lower rates that are more
appealing to most homeowners who are looking to lower upfront costs
and pay off their project over time. Alternatively, personal and
solar loans are also great options to help pay for your renovations.
Before making a final decision, be sure to weigh all of your funding
options carefully.

Try
Composting

An
increasingly popular trend in zero waste homes is composting. Though
you may have heard of composting before, it’s not uncommon to feel
apprehensive about taking on the process. Simply put, composting is a
form of waste management that allows the waste from your home to
decompose on its own. A composter can be used to dispose of items
such as food scraps, grass and leaves, coffee grounds, and even
printer paper. Composting will reduce your overall household waste
and can benefit your yard if utilized properly.

Once
you’ve purchased a composter for your home, be sure to do your
research on how
to use finished compost.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be a gardener to make
good use of your compost soil. Composted waste can be used as a mix
for making your own potting soil should you have indoor plants, and
it can even be used as mulch for outdoor landscapes. Making the
switch to composting is an easy eco-friendly option to embrace early
on in home ownership.