Summer brings fun vacations, long nights, and many ways to rack up your energy bill. If you want to learn how to be more eco friendly this summer, you’re in the right place. 

Did you know single-glazed windows waste 25% of your heating and cooling energy? Talk about money slipping right through your fingers! When you diversify your green habits – and stick to them – you’ll be amazed how much you save. 

We’ve got 12 practical tips that you can use this year. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll be brimming with new ideas that’ll shave down your energy bill and maximize your comfort.

1. Make Sure Your Hydration Always Comes With Eco-Friendly Features

Thinking of reaching for another water bottle? When you consider less than 10% of all plastic gets recycled, consider an alternative like a reusable bottle.

Reusable water bottles offer several benefits. The biggest is the ability to reduce excess plastic waste and spare the environment more damage. The second is the ability to customize your hydration method with your favorite colors, patterns, or designs.

An extra benefit lies in the specific brand you buy. For example, some brands offer cooling features that keep your drinks quenchable all day long. Other brands provide recyclable stainless steel that doesn’t affect the flavor of your drink. Learning how to be more eco friendly has never been easier with such awesome alternatives.

2. Work Alongside Nature to Create Green Air Conditioning 

Reaching for the air conditioning is understandable once summer goes from fun to uncomfortable. However, you can work alongside nature to create greener cooling habits.

One of the fastest ways to start shaving down air conditioning costs is by relying on fans instead. Using an electric fan all day long will only add up to $0.32 per day. Compare this to using an air conditioner, which can hit over $0.65 per hour. 

Get clever with where you place your electric fans, too. For example, try placing them in front of a window during early mornings and late evenings. You’ll get the fan blowing in some cool, crisp air for a fraction of the price. 

Reflective window treatments are another option with two benefits. Firstly, these window films work around the clock to block excess sunlight. Depending on the film you get, you can also reduce reflectivity and enjoy a clearer view of your outside surroundings.

Last but not least, you can try installing sun shades around your house. Unlike regular blinds, these shades are more effective at blocking UV light and the heat they produce. The upfront price you pay for a pair of UV blinds will more than pay for themselves over time. 

3. Smart Gardening Does Wonders For Your Energy Bill and Comfort

Do you enjoy a little landscaping in your spare time? Smart gardening is one of the most beautiful ways to go green in the summer. 

The most significant benefit of green landscaping is creating more shade for your home. Tall trees do a great job at blocking the sun, especially if they’re close to your home. You can also plant shrubs close to your windows or doors to soak up some extra heat. The less light hitting your home, the cooler it’ll be during the summer. 

You can even plant a row of shrubs along your driveway or sidewalk. These shrubs will soak up the extra heat bouncing off the pavement, preventing it from warming up your home. It’s pretty incredible how much gardening can do for your energy bill, huh?

Just make sure you choose plant species that are native to your area. You don’t want to accidentally harm the local flora or fauna with an invasive species.

4. Consider Finally Swapping Out Old Appliances for New Models

Sometimes you need to spend a little money now to save money later. If your air conditioner is showing its age, we recommend looking into a new HVAC system.

Today’s modern HVAC models are able to reduce energy costs while keeping you cool. Purchasing an Energy Star certified HVAC system can save you around 10% to 30% on your energy bill. What’s the science behind these advanced models? Their energy efficiency involves high quality materials and more efficient temperature transfer.

Installing a new HVAC system also doesn’t take very long. Depending on the model and the business you hire, you could enjoy a new model in a few days.

To top things off, you may qualify for a tax rebate for energy efficient upgrades. This rebate could result in a few thousand dollars off your tax obligation – not bad!

If those aren’t enough reasons to go green this summer, we’ve got one more for the pile!

5. Your Wardrobe Holds the Key to Staying Cool (and Recyclable)

If you’re a fan of the goth aesthetic, you’re going to have a hard time this summer! The colors and materials you wear will go a long way in keeping you cool.

Keep dark colors at bay, particularly black, dark gray, and dark blue. Darker colors absorb more heat and retain it for longer. Light colors do the opposite and reflect sunlight, keeping you cooler even in sweltering temperatures.

The most effective (and green) materials for the summer are cotton and linen. Not only are these materials recyclable, they’re breathable and allow air to circulate. They go a long way in reducing sweat build up and make you feel breezy all day long.

If you’re active, consider a cotton-polyester blend. This mixture offers the breathability of cotton but the moisture-wicking properties of polyester. 

Also, one of the best ways to go green is under your nose. Purchasing running sneakers with breathable mesh allows more airflow, letting excess heat and sweat escape. If you take good care of them, they can last for several years.

6. Use Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products 

You’d be surprised how many forever chemicals are in your household cleaning products. 

Using traditional household cleaning products can have a long-lasting impact on the environment. Such products contain harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds 

(VOCs) that pollute waterways and adversely affect local marine life. 

Even the air we breathe can be affected by the chemicals in traditional cleaning products.  VOCs can penetrate the air in your home, resulting in diminished indoor air quality. 

With all this in mind, moving to eco-friendly cleaning products can benefit your household and the environment.  
Current market statistics show that more and more consumers are switching to eco-friendly cleaning products. These products contain non-toxic ingredients derived from natural sources like vinegar, lemon, water, baking soda, and essential oils. They are an effective and safer option for households with small children or pets.

7. Remain Conscious About Your Water Use 

Fun fact: only 0.5% of the Earth’s freshwater is drinkable. Because 71% of the Earth is covered by water, conserving what water we do have is far more than a noble cause – it’s a necessary one. 

As one of the most essential natural resources known to humans, drinkable water must remain accessible for more reasons than staying hydrated. 

Conserving water is also essential for combatting droughts and even preventing global conflict. Although water naturally cycles and returns to the Earth, much of it may be returned elsewhere, leaving certain areas prone to drought. In turn, conflict can arise due to a lack of water access. 

When conserving water, you’re helping to reduce energy usage, preserve the environment, and sustain our available drinking water for future generations. 

Making simple changes like turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth, limiting shower times, fixing leaky faucets, and avoiding overwatering plants are worthwhile efforts that can go a long way.

8.  Shop Locally

Ditch the big box stores and opt for a farmer’s market or mom-and-pop shop on your next shopping trip. 

The benefits of shopping locally are manifold; in addition to being great for the local economy, shoppers can easily access organic, fresh produce grown right in their region. And since the produce is seasonal, freshness will be at its peak. 

Buying from local growers means fewer resources and energy are dedicated to transporting goods, reducing carbon emissions, and reducing the packaging and energy needed to maintain freshness.

 Even better, many local businesses offer reusable or sustainable packaging practices, like using jars or reusable containers that reduce single-use plastics and waste.

9. Switch to energy-efficient lighting

Switching to energy-efficient lighting is a simple yet impactful way to reduce your environmental footprint this summer.

LED bulbs, for instance, use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, which means significant savings on your electricity bill. They also last much longer, reducing the frequency of replacements and the waste associated with old bulbs. Besides being energy-efficient, LEDs emit less heat, helping to keep your home cooler during the warm months.

By making this switch, you’re not only lowering your energy consumption but also contributing to a more sustainable future. Enjoy a brighter, cooler, and more eco-friendly summer with energy-efficient lighting!

10. Choose Greener Transport

Trying to lean out or get more steps in this summer? The environment will thank you. 

The average individual passenger vehicle is responsible for approximately 4.6 metric tons of CO2 a year. This staggering number can be dramatically reduced with a few simple lifestyle changes. 

If you live in a metropolitan area, you’ll know that electric bikes and scooters are all the rage right now, offering a fast, eco-friendly alternative to traversing the city. Not to mention, you’ll save on fuel and maintenance costs. Or, if you’re lucky enough to live in a walkable area, take advantage of that as much as you can and try to carpool for longer distances. 

Frequent flyers and travelers can do their part to offset carbon emissions, even during the busy summer travel season. Most airplanes offer programs to flyers to help offset their carbon emissions when traveling.

11. Upcycle Your Clothes & Avoid Fast Fashion

When you consider that 85% of clothes end up in landfills, you start to wonder if there are other ways to make the most of your purchase.

Instead of discarding your old clothes, put on your creative thinking cap and try repurposing or upcycling them. 

Upcycling involves taking existing garments and using their materials to create something entirely new. This way, you can combat the wastefulness of the textile industry while creating an entirely new piece for your closet.

If you really need a new piece, however, try to avoid purchasing clothing from fast-fashion outlets. Such businesses are among the biggest culprits of microplastics permeating marine environments and causing almost 10% of all global carbon emissions. 

Fortunately, more and more retailers are beginning to recognize the harmful effects of overseas textile mills. So, try looking for clothes from sustainable clothing stores. They often offer much better quality clothes made to outlast trends and can be worn for several seasons. 

12.  Support Your Local Environmental  & Conservation Organizations

While making changes at the individual level is a noble effort, supporting environmental conservation policy can enact change on a larger scale. 

Try looking into local environmental organizations and see if there are ways to support their cause. Often, there are numerous volunteering opportunities for ecological projects or ways to spread the word through community events. 

Getting involved in your local government is another worthwhile effort. You can attend or even speak at local meetings regarding different environmental initiatives. 

Perhaps most importantly, voting in local or state elections is one of the most effective ways to mobilize environmental causes. This November, make sure you vote for candidates prioritizing a more sustainable future. 

Want to Add Eco-Friendly Junk Removal When Going Green This Summer? 

Instead of transforming into a ball of sweat and misery this summer, stay cool in style. These tips can be implemented immediately or over the course of a few months – they’re all worth it!

We at Earthwise Hauling are firm advocates that a green lifestyle doesn’t have to be inconvenient. We provide a flexible 7-week schedule so you’re able to access sustainable junk removal services whenever you need them. Our reasonable pricing is only matched by our commitment to avoid landfills and keep the environment clean. 
Ready to get rid of some junk with a little eco-friendliness to spare? Book your appointment online or call us at (714) 230-6343 to enjoy a fresh and clean summer.