Did you know that there are now 41,415 wildlife species listed as threatened? Of that number, 16,306 have become endangered or are on the brink of extinction.
Human activity, in turn, is behind those threats to wildlife.
But that’s not all; humans are also the leading cause of global warming and climate change. Therefore, it’s also up to us to prevent these deadly phenomena from worsening.
Building a sustainable home is one of the things every smart homeowner can do to help achieve that goal. We’ve shared tips below on how exactly to do that, so read on.
Understand the Dangers of Fossil Fuels
Burning fossil fuels to generate energy is the chief reason behind global warming. This is because they contain so much carbon dioxide, a significant greenhouse gas (GHG). GHGs, in turn, are gases that cover the earth and trap heat like a blanket.
So when fossil fuels get burned for energy, they release all that carbon into the atmosphere. That’s bad enough, but they’re also a leading cause of pollution since they emit chemicals into the air.
Thus, sustainable types of homes aim to conserve resources, particularly energy. Reducing your energy consumption, in turn, minimizes your demand for fossil fuels. And the fewer fossil fuels that get burned, the more you can do to help stop global warming.
Invest in Energy-Conserving Home Improvements
Reduce your energy consumption so you can rely less on fossil fuels and have a more eco-friendly home. You can begin by air-sealing and insulating it. Doing so can help you save an average of 15% on your heating and cooling costs.
Another is to replace old, energy-guzzling home appliances and systems. An example is a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system ten years or older. Replace this with an Energy-Star model, and you can save 10% to 30% on your annual HVAC consumption and costs.
Move to Renewable Energy
Solar and wind are some of the most common types of renewable energies with little to no GHG emissions. They also produce energy without the same level of pollutants as fossil fuels. As a bonus, they’re usually more affordable than most fossil fuels.
However, solar energy may be a better option for your home, as its technology is now more accessible. You can check out this page on solar panels for a more comprehensive guide.
Stop Food Waste
Food waste contributes to global warming and climate change due to its GHG footprint. Aside from carbon dioxide, decaying food emits methane, which is even more potent than CO2. Its warming power is 80 times more than that of carbon dioxide.
That’s enough reason to curb food waste at home by buying and cooking only what your family can eat. Then, refrigerate any leftovers and consume them within the next three days.
Time to Create a Sustainable Home
As you can see, one of the best ways to create a sustainable home is to rely less on fossil fuels. That includes conserving energy, making energy-efficient upgrades, and switching to renewable, cleaner energy. Lastly, please do your best to prevent food waste, as it’s a significant source of methane, a potent GHG.
For more homeownership and lifestyle guides, check out our other blog posts!