Sustainable Home Trends in 2024 by Ashley Fuchs
By now, the mere mention of the words climate or eco- friendly might cause some readers to turn the page. But wait! While making changes to be more climate-conscious may sound expensive and exhausting, adopting a more sustainable home is good for your wallet and your schedule! Here are five simple ways you can start: 1. Buy local: Have you ever noticed the number of delivery trucks clogging the road? The more we click “Order Now,” the more congested our commutes become. Buying locally means supporting business owners in our community, being able to see and feel an item before purchasing, and getting what you want the same day (yes, even furniture!). Curated consignment shops such as Sage Vintage in Annapolis have beautiful mid-century furniture and accent pieces, plus experts like Beth Kilmer, curator and owner of Sage, who can help style your home. Vintage furniture is not only around the same price or less than newly made pieces, the materials are often sturdier, which is why they are still useful. 2. Conserve water: Leaky hoses, sinks, and toilets waste gallons of water each day, which wastes more money than you may realize. Paying a professional to fix the problem now gives that money back to you tomorrow. Make your plumber your friend, and tighten your game up! 3. Lose your lawn: The no-lawn movement is the newest trend in conservation. Grass lawns require time, energy, a lot of water, and money to maintain. Plus, local wildlife
Sage Vintage. Photo credit: Sage Vintage
do not thrive in this non-native environment. Replace your grass seed with clover or native plants which don’t need to be watered or mowed nearly as much. 4. Stop wasting energy: According to American Remodel, leaky, old windows and doors are the biggest waste of energy in your house. “We have a menu of solutions that can balance budget and energy efficiency,” said co-owner Robb Cochran. Another idea is to switch to a smart thermostat, which can save energy by allowing a person to schedule “away time.” For professional help with installation, use an HVAC company like AP Matthews . And finally, when replacing old or broken appliances, make sure your new appliances are Energy Star rated. They may cost more up front, but they save you energy cost over time, and that adds up! 5. Less plastic: By now, we know that single-use plastic cannot decompose and clogs up our landfills. Instead of plastic bags or containers, use silicone, refrigerator glass, or Mason jars for food storage. Try silicone covers or beeswax wrap instead of plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Use cloth napkins and towels instead of paper towels and disposable cleaning wipes. You will save money, plus the trips to the store to replace them.
Dutch white clover lawn. Photo credit: Ashley Fuchs
SUMMER 2024 | 27
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