Green Home Tips for the New Year

If you prefer that your energy comes from a renewable energy source, it’s safe to say you’re also interested in living as green as possible at home. The concept of going green or living green is always evolving because technology and innovation are giving us new ways to minimize our impact without completely giving up modern-day conveniences.

You’ve probably already started replacing all your old light bulbs with CFLs or LEDs and have already programmed your thermostat for optimal efficiency. Today, we’re covering new green home tips that are just now becoming more mainstream. Let’s see if there are some changes you can make to save more energy!

Use the Lagom Approach at Home

If you are committed to living a greener lifestyle that’s much simpler, then you may want to take the lagom approach in your home life. It’s a relatively new concept in the U.S., but it’s been around in Sweden for quite a while. 

The lagom approach focuses on finding contentment in simple, non-material things. In doing so you become more conscious of the waste you create and the amount of energy needed to support your lifestyle. The approach also encourages tracking and measuring energy consumption to become more mindful of how much you use.

The consciousness that comes from using the lagom approach at home can help you identify where you can be saving energy and how to make greener decisions in the future. 

Invest in the Smartest Home Products

Homes are getting smarter by the day. The dramatic increase in smart home products is a result of huge demand. One of the top reasons homeowners invest in smart products is because they can help you save energy. Some products even boast that they can pay for themselves in a matter of months. 

Books can be written and still not cover all of the new smart home products that were released just last year. But here are a few that we think are worth considering.

Smarter Smart Speakers

If you haven’t gotten an Amazon Echo or Google Nest smart speaker now is a good time. The speakers are more intuitive and better at recognizing voices than ever before. Plus, more and more smart device manufacturers are making their equipment smart speaker compatible. As a result, smart speakers can now act like a hub that allows you to put systems on a schedule and keep them optimized for the biggest energy savings.

Smart Outlets

One of the latest parts of the home to become smart are outlets. Smart outlets have been around for a little while but the new versions are more versatile and allow you to control more with schedules and remote control features. Now there are even outdoor WiFi smart plugs for your exterior. 

Countertop Smart Ovens

Refrigerators have been getting smarter for years, and now it’s the oven’s turn. But product developers aren’t just outfitting conventional ovens with smart features. One of the newest smart device trends is the countertop smart oven. It’s a great option for a tiny kitchen without an oven, but it’s still something to consider if you have a regular stove because it saves energy. With the Brava Oven, you can even watch your food cook with your smartphone.

Get More Technical When Selecting Green Home Products

These days consumers are smarter than ever, and they are much more aware. Many understand that products can be labeled as “green” or “all-natural” without actually being better for the planet. Luckily, there are now tools that consumers can use to gauge how green a house project, materials, or a product will be before buying. Here are a few to try:

EC3 Carbon Footprint Calculator

If you plan to build or renovate your home take the time to check out EC3’s carbon footprint calculator. It can be used to measure the carbon footprint of constructing a home as well as how much energy would be used by the home once it’s built or renovated. 

Product Data Sheets

Take your green shopping to the next level with product datasheets. Most manufacturers will provide product data sheets on their websites. In addition to information on how to use a product and the intended purposes, the product data sheet will tell you about the chemical makeup of the materials that are used to know if they are toxic.

New Low Emission Spray Foam Insulation

One of the most common green home tips is to increase the amount of insulation in your home, especially if areas like the attic are lacking it. It makes sense to want to use insulation with the highest rating for better energy savings. For that reason, many homeowners choose to use XPS rigid insulation or spray polyurethane foam (SPUF) insulation. 

People who are committed to having a green home have shied away from foam insulation even though it has a high insulating factor. Why? Because the emissions associated with foam insulation are very concerning. 

Manufacturers have taken note of consumer’s concerns and there are now low-emission foam insulation products. Instead of using hydrofluorocarbons that can release very harmful gases into the air, new foam insulation products are using hydro-fluoro olefins. You can reduce energy use year-round and worry less about what’s being released into the atmosphere. 

Intelligent Remote-Controlled Watering 

Water is one of the most precious resources on the planet. It’s so precious many cities across the country have instated lawn watering restrictions. If you want to keep your garden thriving and green up your grass without feeling bad about it consider the Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller. It’s a high-tech robotic system that allows you to create a custom watering schedule so you stay within the regulations. But that’s not all. You can customize the watering based on geolocation, soil type, and more.  

Another way to decrease your family’s carbon footprint is to choose an energy plan that’s powered by renewable resources. At Provider Power, we offer fixed-rate green energy plans that make renewable power possible for more people. 

Check out Provider Power plans available in your area

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