Installation: Eco-Friendly Checklist

Outdoor lighting can really bring a backyard to life, but running electricity can be costly and wasteful. Instead, opt for solar powered outdoor lighting.

VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are found in some paints and are harmful to breathe in. Some VOCs are potentially deadly carcinogens. This has a higher impact in a micro scale in your home than it does for the larger planet, but every bit helps!

Including plants in your yard that produce food has many benefits: your health, the air, the environment, and your wallet! Growing your own food at home reduces the emissions caused by shipping food to stores, you driving to get the food, all of the wasteful packaging it so often comes in, and allows you to focus on low-carbon footprint foods.

Similar to a low-flow faucet, there are also shower heads that can reduce the amount of water used by optimizing the water pressure and flow.

Low flow faucets intentionally push only the amount of water necessary for activities like washing your hands or showering. Depending on your current faucet and what you transition to, you could reduce unnecessary water usage by 50% or more!

Putting insulation on your water pipes can reduce the loss of heat, allowing you to use less energy in heating water and less water waiting for it to get warm. It can also help manage condensation that can cause corrosion or drips into your basement.

Most thermostats nowadays are programmable to some extent, but upgrading to an easy-to use and customizable one can allow you to have more control over your energy use at home.

You can find LED replacements to your standard bulb fixtures for just about any light and they save huge amounts of energy - at least 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer (1)

Drip irrigation can conserve impressive amounts of water and fertilizer compared to hand watering or other irrigation systems. By placing the drip irrigation strategically to nourish the plant, you're avoiding overwatering or aggressive water pressures that can wash away soil and valuable nutrients.

Greywater systems are designed to reuse water after running through a washing machine, shower, or sinks. This is often used for irrigation in gardens and lawns. It is essential to use all natural and plant-friendly cleaners for any water that is used in a greywater system.

Many homes are under-insulated, which allows heat to escape easily in the cold months and heat to move in during the warm months. Proper insulation can keep your home more regulated and reduce the need for heating and cooling use.

The type of windows that you have can make a tremendous difference in your house's insulation and ability to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Properly sealing and insulating around windows, doors, and other air entry points in your house can make a significant difference in the indoor temperature. This can reduce your reliance on your furnace or A/C unit to regulate the temperature, saving energy and money!

A cool roof is specifically designed to reflect sunlight, which absorbs less energy and heat - helping to keep the inside cool.

If you're building a new house, installing an addition, or remodeling - considering natural and recycled building materials like recycled steel, cork, reclaimed wood, bamboo, or clay can make a big impact. While this is a one-time use and not a habit over time, the savings can really add up depending on the size and complexity of your job.

Home appliances like dishwashers have come a long way in terms of efficiency gains. By upgrading to a modern, Energy Star certified dishwasher, you can enjoy significant savings in energy and water consumption.

If your fridge is very old, you could see upwards of 50% or even 70% energy savings in some cases by upgrading to a newer energy efficient refrigerator. This can be more costly up front, but will also save you significantly on energy cost compared to an older, inefficient fridge.

Solar water heaters may cost a few thousand dollars to have installed, but the savings are significant. Estimated utility cost savings from a solar water heater are between 50 - 80%! (6)

In recent years, HVAC systems have improved a lot with a focus on energy efficiency. Upgrading your home's HVAC system can make improvements to cost and energy usage.

Photovoltaic panels are slightly different from solar panels in the way that they convert energy. They can be used to compliment each other rather than competing or being redundant.

A bidet is a specialized type of toilet that uses water to clean you after using the bathroom, rather than using excessive toilet paper.

Dual flush toilets usually have two buttons on top rather than a lever. One button is for a lighter flush that uses less water. This allows you to intentionally reduce the amount of water used depending on what you're flushing.

Native plants are well-acclimated to the local environment, so they do not require fertilizers, extra watering, or additional maintenance like non-native plants do.

In recent years, washing machines have continued to become more and more efficient in terms of energy and water use. Depending on your current model, you could see a tremendous improvement by upgrading to an Energy Star certified washer.

Avoiding grass that needs regular cutting and maintenance can save on harmful emissions from lawn equipment, enhance the natural landscape, and save you money. Consider natural lawns with wildflowers or tall grasses, hardscaped areas, mulch beds, or rocks.

Planting trees to shade your home can do wonders to keep your home cooler and reduce the energy and money you put into air conditioning and fans. According to Energy.gov, temperatures directly under trees can be up to 25°F cooler than temperatures above blacktop in the same area (9).

Solar panels on your home may be a large undertaking, but they can save monthly energy costs significantly. A home with solar panels' carbon footprint is approximately 20 times less than that of a home powered by fossil fuels (11).