If you’re like most people, you’d love to live a greener lifestyle – but where do you start? This guide explains and offers you seven green living tips you can use today.

7 Green Living Tips You Can Use Today

Most people spend at least half their time at home, and that means you can make a huge difference by implementing small changes. Check out these seven green living tips you can use today:

  1. Explore ENERGY STAR® Options
  2. Switch to LED lights
  3. Use reusable canvas bags
  4. Use appliances thoughtfully
  5. Watch your thermostat
  6. Consider xeriscaping your yard
  7. Curb waste by recycling, upcycling or donating items

Here’s a closer look at each.

Green Living Tip #1 - Explore ENERGY STAR Options

Green Living Tip #1: Explore ENERGY STAR Options

The federal ENERGY STAR program provides you with information about the energy efficiency of a number of home appliances and products. Products with the ENERGY STAR label have been independently certified to deliver efficiency performance and energy cost savings.

The next time you need a home appliance, choosing an ENERGY STAR-labeled product can help ensure that you’re minimizing your home’s carbon footprint and saving money on your energy bills.

Green Living Tip #2 - Switch to LED Lights

Green Living Tip #2: Switch to LED lights

LED light bulbs are far more energy efficient than their incandescent counterparts are. They also last longer and waste less energy – and they don’t contain harmful chemicals. You should consider replacing all the bulbs in your home with LEDs. You don’t have to do it all at once; you can wait until a light burns out, replace it with an LED, and repeat.

Green Living Tip #3 - Use reusable canvas bags

Green Living Tip #3: Use reusable shopping bags

There are more than enough plastic bags in the ocean, on the sides of roadways and in plenty of other places they don’t belong, so consider investing in reusable bags you can take with you when you shop. (And remember – they’re not just for groceries! You can take reusable bags to any store.)

Green Living Tip #4 - Use appliances thoughtfully

Green Living Tip #4: Use appliances thoughtfully

Before you turn on an appliance in your home, make sure you’re using it at the optimal time and in the best possible way. Check out these tips:

  • Don’t pre-heat your oven
  • Hang-dry your clothes when possible
  • Open your dishwasher door to let your dishes air-dry
  • Run your washer, dryer and dishwasher after the sun goes down in summer
  • Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees F
  • Use your microwave rather than the stove or oven when possible
  • Wash your clothing in cold or warm water rather than hot

Green Living Tip - Thermostat

Green Living Tip #5: Watch your thermostat

If you have a smart thermostat, it’s easy to set it and forget it – but if not, keep these temperatures in mind:

  • 75 degrees in the summer if someone is home (including pets!)
  • 80 degrees in the summer if nobody’s home
  • 68 degrees during the day in winter if someone is home
  • 65 degrees at night or during the day if nobody’s home

Related: Add smart tech to your home

Green Living Tip #6 - Consider xeriscaping your yard

Green Living Tip #6: Consider xeriscaping your yard

Xeriscaping is the process of naturally designing a landscape to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation. The best way to do that in Arizona is to avoid growing grass – especially in Scottsdale, where it’s hot and dry. Instead, choose native plants that don’t require more water than nature provides on its own.

Related: 15 desert plants you should know

Green Living Tip #7 - Curb waste by recycling, upcycling or donating items

Green Living Tip #7: Curb waste by recycling, upcycling or donating items

Make the conscious decision to recycle, upcycle or donate items you’re no longer using. The main idea is to lessen the amount of waste you produce, so that means:

  • Recycling paper, plastic and cardboard you can’t use again
  • Renewing your items in any way you can, such as using yogurt cups as paint cups for kids (or using some of these upcycling ideas)
  • Finding the right charity to donate your gently used household items

Are You Buying or Selling a Home in Scottsdale?

If you’re selling a luxury home in Scottsdale, we can help. You can use our home value calculator to get a ballpark idea on what your home may be worth – and you can call us at 480-351-5359 to talk to a REALTOR® about how we can market your home to all the right buyers.

If you’re also looking for a new home, we’ll be happy to show you the homes that interest you most. While you’re here, explore all our Scottsdale real estate listings or look in specific communities:

Don Matheson
REALTOR® | Founder
The Matheson Team
RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-351-5359
don@scottsdalerealestate.com


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