The sustainability At home, it can sometimes lead us to adopt certain changes in our daily lives. Some people think that being more sustainable can lead to an increase in the cost of our habits. However, in many cases this does not have to be the case. Let's analyze what the sustainable habits that do not cost money, but on the contrary, they can save us money.
In this article we show you the main sustainable habits that do not cost money and that can be implemented both inside and outside the home.
Sustainable habits that do not cost money at home
It is possible to implement a series of habits and adjustments within the home that are not only simple to adopt, but can also translate into significant economic savings. The key is to optimize the use of resources such as energy and water.
- Make the most of natural light. Open your blinds and curtains early in the morning to take advantage of the daylight and avoid turning on light bulbs unnecessarily. This habit can naturally reduce electricity consumption considerably and improve the atmosphere of your home.
- More efficient showers. Limiting the time you spend in the shower to no more than 5 minutes and reducing the use of hot water (which uses 20% of a home's energy) will also help you optimize resources. Try to set the water temperature between 30ºC and 35ºC to achieve the perfect balance between comfort and savings.
- Phantom power: Avoid leaving chargers and other devices plugged in when not in use. Although it may seem minimal, this standby power consumption increases your bill. Use a power strip with a button to turn everything off at once.
- Home appliance optimization. Try to use your appliances efficiently. For example, wait until you have a full load before putting on the washing machine or dishwasher. The same applies to ironing: doing it all in one go is much more efficient.
- Cook responsibly. Paying attention to small details such as not preheating the oven if it is not necessary or not opening the door during cooking can make a big difference in energy consumption. These habits represent between 20% and 30% of the energy that can be saved.
- Optimized refrigerator. Keep the refrigerator at an optimal temperature of 5ºC and the freezer at -18ºC. Be careful not to overload it or put hot food in it, and keep the racks clean to improve efficiency.
- Say no to disposable products. Opt for cloth napkins instead of paper ones. Although they need to be washed, the environmental impact is lower and will always be more cost effective in the long run.
- Efficient thermal insulation. In both summer and winter, it is essential to maintain an adequate temperature in your home. In winter, the ideal temperature is between 19 and 21 degrees, while in summer, the ideal is not to exceed 26 degrees. For economical and sustainable comfort, make sure you properly insulate the windows and doors of your home.
- Controlled ventilation. Don't forget to strategically ventilate your home. Open the windows for less than 10 minutes to prevent heat loss in winter or excessive heat gain in summer.
Sustainable habits that do not cost money away from home
Outside the home, we can also continue to adopt practices that help us be more sustainable without having to spend more money.
- Use cloth bags for your purchases. Reusable cloth bags are not only more durable and practical, but in the long term they help reduce plastic consumption. You can always have a bag in your purse or car so you don't forget to use them.
- Buy products in bulk and locally. Buying seasonal food in bulk can help you avoid the added cost of plastic packaging and other unnecessary waste. Similarly, you can buy fresh food at local markets and bring reusable glass containers.
- Use public transport or bicycle. Reducing car use and opting for public transport or cycling is one of the most useful ways to reduce the carbon footprint. It is also a measure that contributes to improving air quality in cities.
- Carry a reusable water bottle instead of buying a plastic bottle. Plastic bottles have a very short life cycle, while a reusable bottle can last you years and help reduce the tons of plastic generated annually.
- Choose less polluting means of transport. If you have to travel, choose the train over the plane whenever possible. Planes have a very high carbon footprint: for example, a 2.500 km flight generates approximately 1,3 tons of CO2 per passenger, according to Greenpeace.
Sustainable habits in other areas of your life
Planting an urban garden
Starting a garden at home can be a great option for those who have the space and time. While living in an apartment can limit your possibilities, a window box or small vertical garden on the terrace can make all the difference. Growing vegetables like tomatoes, herbs or lettuce can be more sustainable and economical than buying them at the supermarket.
Moreover, this habit not only has economic benefits, but also helps reduce dependence on products with packaging, in turn promoting local and seasonal consumption.
Reduce the use of packaging
Each person generates a huge amount of waste over the course of a year, mainly due to the increased use of packaging. It is estimated that we produce around 459 kg of waste annually, largely due to the overloaded packaging of the products we buy. To mitigate this impact, it is important to choose products with as little packaging as possible or reuse the packaging we already have at home.
Home optimization
The home also has a potential for savings of up to 23,2%, according to a report on energy efficiency in homes prepared by Gas Natural Fenosa. Carrying out small modifications, such as changing appliances for more efficient models with an A+++ rating or simply adjusting the temperature of heating and cooling systems, can save up to €200 per year.
It is also advisable to opt for other elements such as low-consumption light bulbs and the purchase of appliances that have energy certifications that guarantee their low environmental impact.
Sustainable office
Offices can also adapt to become more sustainable. Although most decisions will be up to superiors, there are small gestures that any employee can implement. One of the most important is reducing paper use. For example, using double-sided paper for printing or going one step further, digitizing documents to further reduce this consumption.
Another effective measure is to keep the air conditioning at a suitable temperature, avoid unnecessary energy consumption such as leaving lights and devices on at the end of the day or avoid using the elevator and opt for the stairs. A staircase, however small, also contributes to our physical health.
Following these habits not only helps reduce our environmental impact, but also improves our relationship with the resources we use. Sustainability is not a fad, but rather an imperative that we can meet without spending additional money. With small changes, big results can be achieved both for the environment and for our economic well-being.