The need for invention of the concept of “Eco Friendly” houses was felt owing to the contribution of construction industry in pollution and global warming, which is as high as 40 per cent. Eco Friendly houses don’t just help nature survive but are also very cost effective and beautiful. Many developed countries are already building ecofriendly houses. We too, owe something to nature being active users of the products made by cruel exploitation of its resources. Let’s take an initiative of paying back to the nature by at least doing what’s under our control. This article covers the tips for making Eco Friendly houses for your own good as well as for the betterment of nature, at large.

1) Temperature Regulating Walls

Chinese researchers have come up with a unique building material that can release and retain heat on command. You can set the material at desired temperature and it will absorb any extra heat above that temperature and will bring down the room to the set temperature. This invention has been done only to counter climate change and conserve energy that would otherwise be used up by the air cooling devices. Amazing science has given you the liberty to control the room temperature and watch your walls sucking up the heat!

2) CFL Bulbs

You might want to replace the energy consuming incandescent light bulbs with the energy saving Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs, if you want to make your house ecofriendly. Using CFL can save up to 66% of the energy, that too at low cost. If you trade one incandescent light bulb with a CFL bulb, you could save 400 pound of greenhouse gas emissions! It will not only tailor your electricity bill but also aid in creating an ecofriendly atmosphere in your home.

3) Extension Leads

Using extension wires and turning it off when not in use, can save up to 15% energy. It’s far better than the traditional wiring which keeps consuming electricity even if you are not using the appliances attached to it. For a fact, TVs stay on standby for about 17 hours each day! If you unplug your TV for those 17 hours, you could save more energy. Think smart and unplug the inactive wires!

4) Bamboo

Generally, timber wood is used for flooring. It has been discovered that Timber is relatively less environment friendly than bamboo because of its slow growth and replenishment rate. Bamboo, on the other hand is the fastest growing plant on earth making it the most environment friendly plant. Hence, you can contribute to environment by using bamboo flooring in your home instead of timber. Bamboo is thus, cheap and best hardwood flooring!

5) Blinds

Opening your blinds in winters saves you 10% of the energy used in heating up your home along with making your home fresh and sunlit. Bring this little tip to practice to make a small but meaningful contribution to environment from your end.

6) Party!

This may sound crazy, but one human being can generate the same amount of warmth as a 100 watt heater! So, party often in winters and save your earth while you enjoy with your friends!

7) Shade your Fridge

Keeping your refrigerator in the vicinity of light will make it work more and it will consume more energy to cool down. You can instead place your fridge away from the direct and indirect lights to save energy! Only so you know, 7.6 cm is the recommended gap to be kept between your fridge and walls to ensure proper air flow and conserve a little more energy.

8) Energy Star

Only buy “Energy Star” qualified appliances for your home because they are more efficient and use 10-50 per cent less energy than standard appliances.

9) Efficient Utensils

Use energy saving cooking utensils made up of glass, silicon or ceramic. They heat up quick, thus, reduce the cooking temperature required.

10) Houseplants

Plants are the first thing to strike our mind while talking of nature. No doubt, plants foster the natural atmosphere because they themselves are nature! So, bring home a lot of beautiful green houseplants and create a fresh, natural environment.

11) Insulation

Use items that are efficient in insulation like, energy efficient windows. They will help you stay cooler in summers and warmer in winters.

12) Repair the leaks

Save water by fixing all the leaking taps of your home. You can lose 182 liters of water from a leaky tap, in one week. Similarly, leaky toilets can waste up to 730 liters of water every day. Invest a little time and effort in making your house leak proof and conserve water! You may also want to take a shower instead of bath, for it can save 14% of the water.

13) Alternatives to wood

Burning logs made of alternative materials like sawdust, used coffee beans and soy emits 80% less than the regular wood you burn! You already know what to do!!

We generally tend to ignore these little tips because they are too small to catch our attention. Let’s not forget that small things can make a big difference and start inculcating the above tips in our routine to as a token of thanks to nature. It’s time to do our bit!