5 DIY Ways to Make Your Home An Eco-Friendly Space

When you look at the climate changes that the environment is going through thanks to industrialisation and urbanisation, you can’t help but feel guilty. The environmental degradation taking place at an alarming pace, it is destroying the capacity of the human race to survive on this planet. 

If you’re wondering if there’s a way to make a personal contribution to keeping the carbon footprint, then yes! Of course, we can, as individuals, do our bit to help out the Mother Earth. Having an environment-friendly home is an effective way to help protect the environment. 

So, how does one build an eco-friendly home? Here are some Do-It-Yourself (DIY) ways that can play a significant role in make your home a truly healthier and safer place to live in:

DIY rainwater harvesting system

In times of major and most serious water crisis, it’s more important than ever to conserve water. Rainwater harvesting is considered to be one of the most self-sufficient and environmentally friendly methods to recharge ground water. It can be implemented in different ways. The easiest way to harvest rain is through a rain barrel system (make your own from a large trash can or an old drum) connecting it to a rainwater drainage pipe fitted to collect rainwater from the rooftop and verandah of your home.

Get solar panels installed on your terrace

Solar panels are an essential feature for every eco-friendly home. They don’t create harmful emissions and wastes.  If you install solar panels on your terrace, you can generate your own electricity and save yourself from utility rate increases for 20 years or more. Just imagine how healthier you will become and how much money you’ll save by going solar. But always remember using solar power is not just a monetary investment – it will also reduce the harmful impact on the environment. 

Don’t fell trees, build your homes around them

These days many of us are including natural elements into our indoors, then why can’t we build our homes around the trees?  There are so many technological methods through which we can construct living spaces around full-grown trees. It is believed that houses around the trees are the houses that have the healthiest people and who have fewer lung problems. Today the environment-friendly home is a key mantra in the real estate sector. An increasing number of real estate developers are offering "eco-friendly" apartments and villas. Many residential buildings are now nestled amongst trees so that the atmosphere of living spaces would be pure and cleared of any possible pollutants. 

Opt for energy-efficient appliances

Buying eco-friendly appliances will help you conserve energy and water. These smart eco-friendly major appliances are designed to utilize minimum energy to complete the required task, thus they are efficient with water and energy. It is estimated that over five years, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 3,600 pounds by buying an Energy Star-rated refrigerator. Purchasing such appliances that are energy efficient as well as water-efficient will save money as well as conserve energy and the environment.

Composting at home

Don’t waste your kitchen scraps and food waste – turn them into compost. You would be surprised how much of the food waste that you currently throw away can be recycled and turned into compost. Simply place a compost bin in your garden and dispose of all your food waste in it. You are giving the environment a huge favour by getting a home composter.