Talking Sustainability Around The Thanksgiving Table

 The decision to go sustainable and reduce our impact on the environment is an individual choice. Yet it’s our collective actions which have the greatest impact- for better or for worse- on our environment. While you may have scheduled your home energy assessment and spend your free time reading blogs like this, chances are that old Uncle Ernie hasn’t. As you gather around the table with family this Thanksgiving, consider sharing the following thoughts for how every one of us can adopt a greener, more sustainable lifestyle.

Schedule an Energy Assessment. Knowing what to do begins with knowing what you have. A virtual army of green energy experts exist today who can diagnose the energy efficiencies and deficiencies of your home, and offer practical suggestions for how you can improve the performance of your home. 

Reduce Your Energy Consumption. Every action, from turning off your lights when you leave a room, to using a low-flow toilet, has an impact on both your utility bills and the environment.  One step to a more sustainable lifestyle is to reduce the amount of energy that both you and your home consume. It may seem simple, but taking these small steps to reducing your energy consumption can add up to big savings.

Increase Your Energy Efficiency. Sustainability is about integrating your home systems to adopt a more holistic approach to the way you heat, cool and use your home. Using your energy more efficiently goes hand-in-hand with reducing your total energy consumption, and together can have a large, positive impact. There are many ways in which you can increase the energy efficiency of your home, including insulating your attic, enclosing crawlspaces and installing radiant barriers- all points of energy efficiency that should be identified in your home energy audit.

Use Alternative Energy Sources. To maximize your savings and reduce your dependency on unsustainable energy sources, think about investing in alternative options. There are many new and ‘green’ technologies available on the market today, and the versatility and performance of these technologies increases each day. Even better, government tax incentives exist to help you offset the investment in geothermal heating and cooling, or even wind and solar power solutions for your home.

Upgrade your Water System. One of the most effective ways you and your family can adopt a more sustainable lifestyle is by upgrading your home water system. Your local government uses time, manpower and energy to collect, purify and transport water through your community- and both the water and this cost is carried down the pipeline to you. Rainwater harvesting systems come in all shapes and sizes, which means you can collect as much or as little water as you need. With affordable, self-sustainable options available, why not reduce your dependency on both outside energy and water sources?