How to Save the Environment at Home

There are plenty of little steps that people can take at home to help save the environment. While the eco-footprint of each step is small, thousands of people doing the same thing can make a difference. In making some small changes to the way that you do things at home, you are gradually making a difference, even as an individual.[1] We’ve put together a few tips, tricks, and ideas to help you get started!

Method 1
Method 1 of 27:
Turn off the lights.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Earth Step 5
    3
    2
    1
    Always switch off the lights when you are not using them. Rooms that are lit with nobody in them are wasteful.
    Advertisement

Method 2
Method 2 of 27:
Switch to compound fluorescent light bulbs.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Environment Step 32
    5
    4
    1
    These bulbs last longer and consume one-quarter of the energy. Lately, LED lamps have started to pick up the pace too -- they are up to 10 times as effective as fluorescent, and totally blow incandescent bulbs off the charts.

Method 3
Method 3 of 27:
Power down your TV when you are not using it.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Environment Step 2
    1
    10
    1
    Believe it or not, up to 30% of power used by TVs is used while they are turned off. Simply buy power strips and switch them off when you’re not using them. They use far less energy while turned off.[2]
    Advertisement

Method 4
Method 4 of 27:
Turn off the computer every day.

  1. Image titled Figure out Why a Computer Won't Boot Step 2
    0
    7
    1
    Even if it feels like it is not making much of a difference, it is. You also reduce any risks of overheating or short-circuiting by turning computers off overnight.[3]

Method 5
Method 5 of 27:
Lower the thermostat in the winter.

  1. Image titled Adopt an Intermittent Fasting Diet Step 8
    0
    9
    1
    A few degrees can make a big difference. Plus, an extra layer or blanket will not only keep you cozy but will help to reduce your electricity bill significantly.
    Advertisement

Method 6
Method 6 of 27:
Regulate your home’s temperature with your windows.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Environment Step 4
    1
    2
    1
    Keep windows and doors closed properly to avoid the loss of heat in winter. Also, open the windows in summer. The cross breeze will often keep you cool and flushes out stale air (indoor air is often more highly polluted than the air outside). Importantly, the use of fresh air to cycle through your home saves the cost of running an air conditioner.

Method 7
Method 7 of 27:
Pair ceiling fans with AC units.

  1. Image titled Barter Step 1
    1
    6
    1
    Using just air conditioning units can be inefficient. However, pairing fans and air conditioning will significantly increase the effectiveness of your temperature control. The fans will circulate the warmed or cooled air generated by the air conditioning unit.
    Advertisement

Method 8
Method 8 of 27:
Fill in any gaps around your home.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Environment Step 33
    1
    6
    1
    Gaps reduce energy efficiency in a home. By caulking gaps around windows and doors, you increase the ability of your house to retain heat and cool at the right times of year, allowing your heating and cooling systems to work less.

Method 9
Method 9 of 27:
Insulate your home.

  1. Image titled Build a House Step 31
    0
    6
    1
    Insulation keeps the heat and cool on the correct side of your living space. Consider not only the ceiling but also the walls and under the floors.[4]
    Advertisement

Method 10
Method 10 of 27:
Install low-flush toilets in your home.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Environment Step 39
    0
    6
    1
    These use 1.6 gallons (6.1 L) per flush instead of 3.5 gallons (13.2 L). This cuts your water consumption by more than half.

Method 11
Method 11 of 27:
Take showers instead of baths.

  1. Image titled Wash Box Braids Step 5
    0
    9
    1
    Showers use less water. While you’re at it, don't forget to install an efficient showerhead.[5]
    Advertisement

Method 12
Method 12 of 27:
Wash full loads of laundry with cold water.

  1. Image titled Naturally Soften Laundry Step 5
    0
    1
    1
    Instead of using hot water all the time, use cold water. In fact, use cold water at any available opportunity. It saves a ton of energy.
    • When you can, choose phosphate-free soaps and detergents.

Method 13
Method 13 of 27:
Air-dry your clothes when you can.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Environment Step 3
    0
    8
    1
    On sunny days, use a clothes line instead of a clothes dryer. Your clothes will smell fresher and the sun's rays ensure that germs are successfully sizzled.
    Advertisement

Method 14
Method 14 of 27:
Stick your dishes directly in the dishwasher.

  1. Image titled Prepare for Passover Step 4
    0
    8
    1
    Avoid rinsing before using the dishwasher. If you skip rinsing your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, you can save gallons of water. You can also save both the time it takes for the water to heat up as well as the energy it consumes.

Method 15
Method 15 of 27:
Air-dry your dishes.

  1. Image titled Earn Your Parents' Trust Step 7
    0
    9
    1
    Stop the dishwasher before the dryer cycle commences. Leave the door slightly ajar (or more open if you have the space) and let the dishes air-dry. The drying cycle of the dishwasher consumes a lot of energy.[6]
    Advertisement

Method 16
Method 16 of 27:
Update your refrigerator.

  1. Image titled Kosher Your Kitchen Step 13
    0
    2
    1
    Fridges are the most energy intensive appliance in a house. This means that a poorly maintained and energy inefficient fridge is costing you money, let alone adding its burden to the atmosphere. Recent fridges use 40% less energy than fridges of 10 years ago. If you do decide to upgrade the fridge, make sure that you buy for its excellent energy rating, longevity and durability and that you have the old fridge recycled.

Method 17
Method 17 of 27:
Recycle when you can.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Environment Step 9
    0
    4
    1
    Some cities already require people to sort their trash into paper, metals, glass, and organic waste.[7] Even if your city doesn't, you can launch a growing trend. Set up four separate waste baskets, and make sure the contents end up in the appropriate recycle bins.
    Advertisement

Method 18
Method 18 of 27:
Ditch disposable products.

  1. Image titled Kosher Your Kitchen Step 1
    0
    5
    1
    Stay away from disposable plates, cups, napkins and cutlery. Use reusable towels and dishwashing cloths in place of paper towels and disposable dish sponges.
    • For instance, you could switch out one-use tampons and pads for reusable alternatives, like menstrual cups.

Method 19
Method 19 of 27:
Start composting.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Environment Step 47
    0
    8
    1
    Compost the kitchen scraps and create garden matter to encourage better plant growth. Make sure the heap is warm and well-turned. If you need to, read a few books about composting—it's rare to find someone highly skilled in the area! Remember, soil is a living thing, it should not be powdery and dead. Life comes from the soil, and therefore the soil should be kept alive. Avoid highly invasive tilling if at all possible, but be sure to keep the soil aerated.[8]
    Advertisement

Method 20
Method 20 of 27:
Throw out hazardous items carefully.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Earth Step 3
    0
    10
    1
    Old paints, oils, pesticides etc. should not be tipped down the drain. Unfortunately, the residues end up in our waterways. Instead, dispose of these items through municipal disposal schemes or use the landfill option if there is no other choice.

Method 21
Method 21 of 27:
Save paper in your home office.

  1. Image titled Notarize a Document Step 4
    1
    2
    1
    Use recycled paper in your home office and printer. When you can, double side your printing and give scrap paper to the kids or turn it into note paper for the phone table.
    Advertisement

Method 22
Method 22 of 27:
Plant trees.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Earth Step 13
    0
    10
    1
    Plant trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and provide shade. Also, it reduces the soil and air temperature. They provide homes for wildlife and some trees can provide you with a bountiful harvest. What more incentive do you need?!

Method 23
Method 23 of 27:
Reduce your lawn.

  1. Image titled Make Money Growing Vegetables Step 3
    0
    9
    1
    Either reduce your lawn size or remove it altogether. Lawns are costly to maintain, the chemicals used on lawns are dangerous to our health and to that of the surrounding wildlife and lawnmowers emit high levels of pollution. Replace lawns with shrubs, ornamental garden structures, pavers for entertainment areas, native grasses and ground creepers etc. In addition, what's better than being able to step outside and pick a few strawberries or an ear of corn? Increase your own resilience by converting wasted lawn space into a vegetable garden.
    • Consider using drip-irrigation systems or constructing or purchasing a rain barrel (it saves you having to pay to pump water back into the ground).
    Advertisement

Method 24
Method 24 of 27:
Grow native plants in your garden.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Environment Step 42
    0
    7
    1
    They need less watering, and are hardier. Plus, they attract the local wildlife and are used to the local weather conditions.

Method 25
Method 25 of 27:
Maintain your bike.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Environment Step 21
    0
    3
    1
    Eliminate the excuse that you cannot use your bike because it is in bad shape. Keep it in good condition and then use it to keep yourself in shape.
    Advertisement

Method 26
Method 26 of 27:
Switch to a fuel-efficient car.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Environment Step 22
    0
    3
    1
    Choose a compact car over an SUV. SUVs burn almost twice the amount of gas as a station wagon and yet can still carry around the same amount of passengers.
    • If you're really serious about going all-out green, consider living without a car -- not only it's green, but could also save you a lot of money!

Method 27
Method 27 of 27:
Drive your car less.

  1. Image titled Help Save the Environment Step 23
    1
    8
    1
    This way, your car contributes less to the atmosphere. When you can, walk to your local stores, take public transport to work and cycle to your friends' houses for dinner. Join a carpool and ferry others to work rather than driving in alone. You'll make new friends and you'll all share the costs.[9]
    Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    Is gardening good for the environment?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It can be, depending on whether you have an organic garden or use a lot of pesticides. In general, gardening is good for the environment as it contributes to conserving nature.
  • Question
    Is eating too much meat OK?
    Donagan
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Doing anything "too much" is by implication not OK. Eating one or two helpings of meat a day is plenty. Some people manage quite well without meat at all. The point is: indulge liberally in moderation. As Oscar Wilde famously said, "Everything in moderation, including moderation."
  • Question
    Which is better: a community garden or an adults-only garden?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Probably a community garden. That way everyone can be involved and your project will become a much bigger, more involved garden.
  • Question
    What is sustainability?
    Donagan
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Sustainability is the capacity of any activity -- such as agriculture or industry -- to function without (or nearly without) a net-consumption of natural resources.
  • Question
    Can kids help to save the environment?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Definitely, there are kids out there who are also environmentalists.
  • Question
    Isn't it bad for the environment to mow your lawn, because it takes away the grass that was living there?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    When they recommend reducing the lawn here, they mean to replace the lawn with other plants, such as vegetable or flower gardens. Most areas require by law that you mow your grass, so by replacing the grass with gardens, you mow less, produce more oxygen, and take more carbon out of the air. If you plant vegetables, you also cut down on the emissions required for food that is shipped to you, and if you grow certain kinds of flowers you can help feed bees and other pollinators.
  • Question
    Can we save environment by using less Internet?
    Donagan
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Probably not. It's hard to make a conclusive case that Internet usage harms the environment.
  • Question
    Is it good to make fires instead of electric heaters?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It is safer to use an electric heater, but better for the environment to make fires.
  • Question
    If I plant fruits and vegetables, will that help the environment?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, because it is creating more oxygen.
  • Question
    How can I save the environment as a kid?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Plant trees native to your area and get involved in conservation programs in/near your state. Often they have programs where people contribute and spend the day planting trees/clearing invasive species etc. Start a vegetable garden and learn how to compost; read up on living sustainably and being self-sufficient. The possibilities are endless once you start learning how.

You Might Also Like

Save Energy in the Office
How to
Save Energy in the Office
Help Save the Environment
How to
Help Save the Environment
Save Gas
How to
Save Gas
Save Water15 Proven Ways to Save Water at Home
Save Energy in Your Home
How to
Save Energy in Your Home
Make a Fireplace More Energy Efficient
How to
Make a Fireplace More Energy Efficient
Take Action to Reduce Global Warming
How to
Take Action to Reduce Global Warming
Improve the Environment
How to
Improve the Environment
Save Trees
How to
Save Trees
Protect Estuaries
How to
Protect Estuaries
Spread Awareness About Climate Change
How to
Spread Awareness About Climate Change
Help Save the Earth
How to
Help Save the Earth
Reduce Water Pollution
How to
Reduce Water Pollution
Help Save Rivers
How to
Help Save Rivers
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ April Jordan. Sustainability Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 September 2020.
  2. ↑ https://www.energysage.com/energy-efficiency/101/ways-to-save-energy/
  3. ↑ https://www.energy.gov/articles/top-11-things-you-didnt-know-about-saving-energy-home-summer-edition
  4. ↑ https://www.energysage.com/energy-efficiency/101/ways-to-save-energy/
  5. ↑ https://www.efficiencyns.ca/tip/11-tips-save-energy-bathroom/
  6. ↑ https://blog.constellation.com/2016/01/01/31-ways-to-save-energy-in-your-home/
  7. ↑ April Jordan. Sustainability Specialist. Expert Interview. 22 September 2020.
  8. ↑ https://www.hribar.com/how-to-save-energy.htm
  9. ↑ https://www.starenergypartners.com/blog/energy-efficiency/ways-to-save-energy-on-transportation/

About This Article

April Jordan
Co-authored by:
April Jordan
Sustainability Specialist
This article was co-authored by April Jordan. April Jordan is a Sustainability Specialist and the Founder of The Ethical Edit, a blog dedicated to making ethical fashion and lifestyle changes accessible by sharing easy-to-digest sustainability information and ethical and sustainable brand reviews. With over five years of experience in sustainability and over five years in the marketing and communications field, April is passionate about using her skills to make the world a better place. This article has been viewed 450,255 times.
5 votes - 80%
Co-authors: 88
Updated: January 1, 2022
Views: 450,255
Categories: Sustainable Living | Environmental Awareness
Article SummaryX

You can easily help save the environment at home by recycling your trash and reducing your utility bills. Turn off your electrical appliances, like computers, TVs, and sound systems, when you’re not using them, instead of just using their standby settings. During the colder seasons, consider turning your thermostat down a few degrees and wearing a warm sweater. This will help the environment and save you money too! If you have a little spare cash, consider getting your house fully insulated, which will reduce your heating bill. You can also wash your laundry on cold cycles to save a ton of energy. If you don’t already have separate baskets for your trash, consider getting one for recycling, which will prevent a lot of waste from going to landfill. For more tips, including how to change your travel routine to help save the environment, read on!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement