As a working mom, I know how important it is to save money wherever we can. One way we can do that while also positively impacting the environment is by upgrading our home appliances to more eco-friendly models. Not only do these appliances use less energy and water, but they often pay for themselves over time through the money you save on your bills.
With numerous appliances in our homes, our energy bills can skyrocket—plus, older models of these appliances are not as eco-friendly as the models built today. If you’re looking to positively impact our environment and save money for your household, you might consider upgrading a few appliances to make your home greener. In fact, most of these appliances end up paying for themselves due to the amount of money and energy you’re conserving. Consider upgrading one of the appliances on our list for your home!
Air Conditioner
By far, the most energy-consuming appliance within your home is the air conditioner. When you live in a warmer climate or experience hot summers, an air conditioner is a must, but the longer you leave them on throughout the day, the more your energy bill will rise. Some window AC units have a setting that can sense when no one is in the room to automatically turn off the appliance—other models allow you to control the temperature and settings from your phone in any location, so you can be more eco-conscious when using the appliance.
Fireplace
On the flip side, you may have a fireplace in your home, either for ambiance or to heat the room it’s in. Many homeowners question whether a gas or wood fireplace is more eco-friendly because they want the appliance that provides a greener home. While both can have sustainable characteristics, upgrading to a gas fireplace is favorable because it’s easier to maintain than its traditional counterpart.
Dishwasher
Dishwashers can be high energy consumption appliances because they require lots of water and electricity to wash your dishes. You need a large quantity of water and must also heat it so it can effectively clean dirty pans and silverware. Energy-efficient dishwashers use less water due to powerful jets, technologies such as soil sensors, and water filtration.
Washing Machines
Similar to your dishwasher, a washing machine will use a large amount of water to wash your clothes. Your best bet is to find a washer that consumes less water to clean your clothes and less energy to power the appliance. However, if this is not within your budget at the moment, you can still make this year greener by unplugging the appliance when it’s not in use to save on energy.
Refrigerator
Your refrigerator uses constant energy to power the appliance, and many older models also use a toxic coolant fluid that has a negative effect on our ozone. To make your home greener, when you’re shopping around to upgrade this appliance, consider purchasing one that does not use a toxic coolant but instead uses compressors and a cooling system to fill the appliance with cold air. There are multiple kinds of refrigerators on the market, so be mindful and look into the product before making a final decision.
Sustainability and eco-friendly practices are the way to a brighter future. As a homeowner, you’ll positively impact our environment by using energy-efficient and green appliances, and you’re also saving money on energy and water bills. Remember, you don’t need to upgrade every appliance immediately; just exchanging one could impact your home!
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