Many homeowners have the misconception that living a green lifestyle is expensive and inconvenient. They can quickly become overwhelmed with the idea of spending thousands of dollars on solar panels or having to redesign their whole sprinkler systems. But being green doesn’t have to be hard! It’s simply a matter of making one small change at a time. In order to help you live a more eco-friendly lifestyle and save you money, Ivory Homes has come up with 5 simple tips: 

1. Swap Regular Light Bulbs For LED Bulbs: Investing in the right light bulbs makes a huge difference. Compared to traditional light bulbs, LED bulbs last longer, are more eco-friendly, and use significantly less energy. Using LED light bulbs is both practical and cost-effective. 

2. Stop cutting your grass so short: When you let your grass grow out, the longer grass blades will shade the ground underneath and prevent your lawn from drying out as quickly. This means your grass won’t have to receive as much supplemental water. This simple tip is a great way to reduce your water bill and help the environment. 

3. Upgrade to a WaterSense shower head: Your shower head is likely using more water than you think. According to the EPA, replacing old, inefficient faucets and shower heads with WaterSense labeled models can save the average family 700 gallons of water per year. If every household in the United States replaced existing faucets and shower heads with WaterSense labeled models, we could save nearly $1.3 billion in water and energy costs and 69 billion gallons of water across the country annually. This is equivalent to the annual household water needs of more than 680,000 American homes. 

4. Buy a houseplant: Plants lower carbon emissions by converting carbon dioxide into fresh oxygen. Some plants even absorb toxins such as carbon monoxide from the air. This allows you to breathe easier and reduce the impacts of climate change. 

   • Here are some of the best air purifying plants for your home:

   • Barberton Daisy

   • English Ivy

   • Aloe Vera

   • Snake Plant 

5. Invest in a smart thermostat: A smart thermostat can help minimize your energy consumption. Smart thermostats have an Eco-Mode eco mode that automatically drops the temperature when you're not home. By learning your habits and patterns, it can automatically adjust the temperature of your home. Additionally, you can program your smart thermostat to send you notifications when your cooling or heating system needs maintenance. 

Ivory Homes understands that we only have one planet, and it is important that we treat it right. By supporting broader community-based initiatives and embracing cutting-edge building practices, Ivory Homes has made significant strides in protecting our planet. Together with the help of homeowners, Ivory Homes looks forward to a greener future. 

To learn more about Ivory’s green initiatives, visit https://ivoryhomes.com/green