Increasing the usage of solar panels in the Philippines is well and good, but that’s only the beginning. There are even more adjustments you can make in your home that could decrease excessive use of energy and decrease the rate of global warming. Join the green movement and start building a green home by following the practical tips below.
For the Living Room
- Big Windows in your living room and other parts of the house will increase the insulation and optimize sunlight throughout the room. It will also lessen the use of light and electric fans or air-conditioning.
- Replace Bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and light-emitting diode (LED) to save up to 66% more energy. Switching to such types of bulbs will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of your house by 400 pounds.
- Unplug home appliances, such as TV and computer when they are not in use.
- Power Strips are great for plugging groups of home appliances and gadgets. It reduces power usage AND makes it easy for you to unplug several electronics at once.
In the Bedroom
- Grow houseplants to improve the quality of air in your bedroom. In some cases this can also lessen your usage of electric fans or air conditioner.
- Don’t overcharge your mobile phones, tablets, and other gadgets. You should particularly avoid charging your gadgets before going to sleep as this will uses up more energy. You may want to start using solar-powered gadgets as well.
- Use a ceiling fan instead of the regular electric fan. A ceiling fan uses only 2% of the energy compared to its standing counterpart.
In the Bathroom
- Turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth or applying facial wash, et c.
- Inspect for possible leaks, as leakage in your tap can waste up to 182 liters of water every year. Regularly inspect your faucet and all other plumbing to ensure that it is free from any leakage.
In the Kitchen
- Switch to non-toxic cleaning products and ditch your regular cleaning products. Kitchen ingredients, such as baking soda and lemon are some of the natural cleaners you can use.
- Compost kitchen scraps as this could serve as your instant organic fertilizer. You will also reduce the amount of solid waste sent to the landfill.
- Avoid Plastic Containers when buying your toiletries or kitchen condiments. Instead, opt for glass containers, as you can reuse the glass containers afterwards.
In the Laundry Area
- Hang clothes to dry instead of using the dryer, which could produce 2 to 3 kilograms of carbon emissions. Hang your clothes on a clothesline instead to reduce the carbon emissions and save energy at the same time.
- Use cold water for washing clothes (unless hot water is necessary) as heating water can use up as much 85% to 90% of energy.
These are practical tips and sustainable habits you and your family can apply in your own home. Start doing the simple tips mentioned above and you’ll know you’re doing your part in making our environment a better place to live in. After all, the environment is everyone’s responsibility.