5 cheap ways to make your home eco-friendly

As global warming continues to harm our sustainability, we should be making conscious efforts to go green. It's true that one single person can't save the planet, but if we all do our little part it can have a big impact over time.

Some people haven't bought in to the eco-friendly trend because they feel that going green will be costly, but that's just not true. There are small changes you can make inside and outside your home to become more eco-conscious and none of them will break the bank.

Go green with pots and plants

This is one of the simplest (and most literal) ways to make your living space green. Adding plants inside and outside your home makes the space more livable and it adds color. However, adding greenery is not just good for decor, it's also a great way to help the environment.

Simply put, plants keep our air clean. They also help keep wildlife alive. You can buy plants at stores such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Lowes, you can even pick up some good bargains in the home section of your local grocery store. Be sure to check your neighborhood nursery, too!

Change your light bulbs

Changing your regular light bulbs to LED light bulbs is one of the easiest ways to make your home green. The upfront cost is higher than regular light bulbs, but they last a lot longer and they use less energy (for the same brightness) which saves you money every month.

According to Earth Easy a LED light bulb lasts for 50,000 hours whereas a regular light bulb only lasts 1,200 hours. That is a savings of over $266 per year.

Use recycled materials on renovations

If you want to renovate your home, why not use recycled materials? It's a more eco-friendly option and everything from floors to kitchen counters can be purchased from recycled materials. Ask your local lumber shop or hardware store for recycled materials the next time you want to upgrade.

Get dual everything

Dual options allow you to choose the pressure you want when bathing, cleaning clothes, and washing dishes. Everything from toilets and multiple function shower heads can cut down on wasted energy. If you're not ready to change your appliances and faucets just yet you can use a lighter cycle on your current dishwasher and choose to wash your clothes in cold water.

Energy efficient appliances

If you're looking to replace your appliances, look for the Energy Star symbol before you make a purchase. High efficiency or energy saving appliances are good for the environment because they suck up less power; at the same time they can help cut down your electric bill.

With these ideas in mind, you can get started going green today!