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Days like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day, etc., are dedicated days to remind everyone to pay a little extra attention to certain loved ones who play an important role in their life. And Earth Day, on April 22, is a day to do the exact same thing but for this planet that everyone inhabits. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest in Our Planet” and it is a reminder to direct your time, energy, and resources to take stock of the state of the environment and climate and actively take steps to solve the prevailing issues.
At an individual level, one of the most meaningful steps you can take is to focus on making your home and lifestyle more eco-friendly. And this Earth Day is a great opportunity to begin working on this. The idea is to live in a sustainable manner and have as little carbon footprint as possible. Essentially, the decisions you make today regarding your space and your lifestyle should not have a negative impact on the environment but rather a positive one. Let’s see how you can do so.
Ways you can upgrade your home to make it more eco-friendly
1. Use smart home technology
Using smart home technology, or home automation technology, allows you to control indoor temperature, lighting, and more in a way that is efficient and convenient. Not only do these gadgets help reduce utility bills and reduce costs for homeowners in the long run, but they also help utilise resources in a more sustainable way. You should also look at incorporating energy-efficient appliances such as energy-efficient refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves, etc., and LED lighting.
2. Install solar panels
One of the most effective ways to use green energy is to instal solar panels and get rid of grid electricity. Solar panels allow you to make the most of one of the most readily available and renewable sources of green energy – the sun. The best part is, not only will installing solar panels help you be more eco-friendly but will also help save money by reducing the amount you spend on energy. And while this renovation idea is sustainable in the long run, it could make a dent in your savings. Before taking the decision to install such panels for your home, it is prudent to research the overall startup solar panel costs and budget accordingly. If there are any monetary shortfalls, you can always rely on a personal loan for home improvement, an unsecured loan that can be availed quickly and in a hassle-free manner.
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3. Opt for reclaimed furniture
Reclaimed furniture is furniture that is made from materials sourced from a variety of old products or structures such as buildings, factories, shipping containers, etc. For instance, the wood used in reclaimed furniture could be sourced from old floors or doors that have been repurposed. Not only is reclaimed furniture more sustainable and environmentally friendly but is also unique and has a certain depth of character. So, if you have reclaimed furniture in your home, you essentially have furniture that is one-of-a-kind, each with its distinct history and story.
4. Choose eco-friendly paint
When painting the walls in your home, in addition to choosing the right colour palette you should also choose the right kind of paint. Eco-friendly pain or non-VOC paints are a good option because these are paints free of chemical ingredients present in normal paint that tend to get absorbed in the atmosphere once dried. Eco-friendly paint provides the same kind of coverage, colour, and durability as standard paint but comes without any harmful chemicals.
5. Install a composting bin
Another way you can make your home eco-friendlier is by installing a composting bin to recycle food and wet waste. By composting your organic waste, you reduce the waste that ends up in landfills and thereby help reduce methane emissions into the atmosphere. When you compost waste such as fruit and vegetable peels, the waste turns into nutrient-rich soil over time, which can be used as fertilizer for plants.
How to invest in an eco-friendly, smart home?
There might be a certain set-up cost when you try renovating your home to make it more eco-friendly. But over time, this investment will provide returns, making it worth it. For instance, when installing solar panels, there might be a hefty cost but over time you will save a large amount of money from reduced energy costs.
But to finance this initial investment towards a green home, you can make use of a personal loan for home renovation. A home renovation loan is a great way to finance everything, from buying reclaimed furniture to investing in energy-efficient appliances to do your part in helping the environment. The personal loan eligibility is basic, and the documents required for personal loan are minimal. Hence, it makes for a great option to get quick access to a significant sum of money in a manner that is seamless.
The personal loan interest rates offered are usually quite competitive and you can make use of a personal loan EMI calculator to estimate what your Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI) will look like. This can help you make a budget for your home renovation plans and go ahead with them without any financial constraints.
Simple lifestyle changes you can incorporate for sustainable living
Invest in your home, invest in our planet
By undertaking eco-friendly home renovations and lifestyle changes now, you are investing in upgrading your home and thereby fulfilling this year’s Earth Day theme of investing in our planet. While there may be an initial set-up cost, the investment is worth it, and you can make use of a personal loan for home renovation to finance these costs in an efficient and hassle-free way.
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