Many people have false beliefs about leading an eco-friendly lifestyle, especially the notion that it's costly, difficult, and calls for a full head of dreadlocks. 

Being green really isn't that hard; all it takes is one small adjustment at a time to benefit the environment. 

And here's the huge bonus: You may frequently save money by implementing these tiny lifestyle adjustments.

How To Be Eco-Friendly At Home

Here are the eco-friendly tips for home that can help save money:

1. Upgrade Your Efficiencies

For most homes, energy costs represent a considerable monthly expense, and domestic energy use significantly contributes to environmental problems. Improving energy efficiency can substantially lessen your influence on the environment and electricity costs. Still, some of these improvements require much effort and money.

In addition to discounted costs for energy-efficient upgrades and appliances, several utility providers now give free energy audits and rebate programs. Look for deals you can take advantage of by first visiting the websites of your gas and electric suppliers. In addition, you can determine if you qualify for any federal income tax credits associated with energy conservation.

After exploring these promos and incentive programs, inventory your home for energy efficiency improvements and investigate low-cost renovations to reduce energy consumption: 

• Upgrade to appliances certified by Energy Star® 
• Set up and program the smart thermostat.
• Replace outdated bulbs with LED ones. 
• Fit showerheads and faucets with reduced flow rates. 
• For windows and doors, install weatherstripping and insulation.

2. Sort, Repurpose, And Market

Summer may be filled with more activities compared to other seasons, so it might require an effort to find enough time to clean, organize, and refresh your home. After all, doing so has environmental, financial, and even mental benefits for you and your family.

Here are some ideas for recycling, reusing, and reducing items that are already in your home:

• Consider what you already own before investing in a new spring wardrobe. High-quality apparel can be rejuvenated by mending, tailoring, and other techniques.
• If you have items like books, furniture, clothing, or kid's toys that you no longer need, think about selling them online or at a nearby thrift store. Donate to a local foundation or nonprofit if you need clarification on their resale worth; contributions may be tax deductible.
• For items you’re not sure about, you may find ideas on what to do with them online. On Etsy, Pinterest, and similar websites, there are many innovative ways to turn bottles, bags, and more into something practical, ornamental, or entertaining. You can consider doing DIY projects and use this opportunity to bond with your family without spending money.

3. Check Out Your Lawn 

There are many cheap, eco-friendly things you can do on your lawn that could have a beneficial impact on your finances and the environment, such as:

• Planting native trees and flowers to improve your local ecosystem and save energy. These plants feed wildlife, increase biodiversity, and use less herbicides and fertilizer. Trees reduce pollutants, erosion, and air pollution. 
• Composting reduces food waste, landfill trash, and greenhouse gas emissions. Doing this correctly helps in creating healthy, rich soil for your lawn and garden. 
• Reducing water usage with proper lawn care and gardening strategies. Use rain barrels to save clean drinking water and cut water bills. Utilize drought-resistant plants and hardscaping instead of lawns can save you time, money, and the environment by reducing water, fertilizer, and pesticide use.

4. Invest In Reusable Water Bottle

Plastic water bottles that are only used once are extremely wasteful and harmful to the environment. 

Three times as much water is needed to make one water bottle as there are in one due to the plastic production process, yet an estimated 80% of them are not recycled!

Regretfully, they wind up in landfills or the ocean since individuals frequently neglect to recycle them correctly. 

Purchasing a reusable, appropriately sized water bottle will solve this issue and allow you to carry it with you everywhere you go. 

Long-term cost savings are also achieved by reusing water bottles since fewer plastic bottles will need to be bought.

5. Less Meat, More Vegetables

Reducing your meat intake can actually have a significant positive impact on the environment. 

Livestock operations occupy more than thirty percent of the Earth's surface. 

In line with a UN research, “the livestock sector accounts for 9 percent of CO2 deriving from human-related activities, but produces a much larger share of even more harmful greenhouse gases. It generates 65 percent of human-related nitrous oxide, which has 296 times the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of CO2.”

Reducing your meat intake is a significant step in lowering your total GWP gas emissions. 

We can enjoy and use more land for pleasure when there are less cattle on it. 

Think about eating more fish or substituting veggies for some of your meat-heavy meals!

6. Avoid Using Too Much Paper Towels

First of all, you don’t have to completely get rid of your paper towels; however, use them sparingly as much as you can.

Comparing the seven most popular ways for drying hands, researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) discovered that using paper towels results in 70% more carbon emissions than using hand dryers with cold air. 

Even though you most likely don't have a hand dryer at home, drying off with a cotton towel is 48% more environmentally friendly than using a paper towel.

When the time comes for your spring cleaning, chop up an old t-shirt and use it as a cloth instead of buying a dozen rolls of paper towels. 

Since you were going to discard it anyhow, why not make financial and environmental savings simultaneously? 

Gather all of your used rags into a basket and give them a quick wash. 

Reuse, reuse, reuse!

7. Turn Off Lights When Not In Use

Light switches are beside the door for a reason! 

Turn them off whenever you leave a room, and especially when you leave the house. This will help you save energy and money on your energy bill.

Your ability to save energy by shutting off the lights will vary depending on the kind of bulbs you use. 

An incandescent lightbulb is among the least energy-efficient forms of illumination available.

Just 10% of the energy used by incandescent light bulbs is converted to light; the remaining 90% is wasted as heat. 

Therefore, you can save more energy in your home by turning off your incandescent light bulbs. 

Since halogen lights employ the same technology as incandescent light bulbs, turning them off when not in use can also help cut energy bills.

It is also necessary to turn off compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, according to the usual rule of thumb. 

If you plan to be back in your room in fifteen minutes, you can leave the lights on.

But turning them off is more energy-efficient if you leave your home for longer than fifteen minutes. 

Your CFL bulbs' lifespan will also be increased by using this technique.

Nevertheless, turning on or off Light Emitting Diodes, or LED bulbs, will not have an impact on them. 

One of the key features of LED bulbs that makes them perfect for energy conservation at home is this. 

Additionally, you can use sensors to turn them fully on and off instantaneously and to turn them on and off automatically.

Other than this, unplug appliances when you’re not using them.

Want more tips on taking care of your home and living an eco-friendly lifestyle? Why not check our free resources by clicking this link.