Since 2009 Garbett Homes has been working to build the most beautiful, comfortable, and greenest new homes in the Salt Lake Valley. Throughout the entire building process, we do everything we can to make cutting edge, competitively priced, energy efficient homes that make as little impact on the environment as possible. However, it doesn’t have to stop at construction. Here are five small ways that you can make your green, Zero Energy Ready, Garbett home even more environmentally friendly.
1. Follow the Maintenance Schedule
Following the maintenance schedule of your new energy efficient home allows the products that came with it to operate as best as they can for as long as they can, given nothing catastrophic happens to them. This can also help you save money in the long run, small regular maintenance reduces the chances you will need to make major repairs later.
2. Avoid Bottled Water
With many options for water filtration available, from pitchers, built in dispensers, and sink attachments. There is no reason for you to use bottled water in your new home. You’ll also kill two birds with one stone by reducing your home’s plastic use and helping conserve water in the Salt Lake Valley.
3. Maintain Your Thermostat at a Reasonable Temperature
Even in an energy efficient Garbett Home, Jimmy Carter’s advice of “put on a sweater” still rings true. A good rule of thumb is to try not to go above 72 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer or higher than 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. There is nothing more energy efficient then not using energy when you do not have to. Plus, would you deny yourself the cozy feeling of bundling up in a hoodie?
4. Make a Weekly Flexible Meal Plan
Food waste is something that Garbett Homes cannot reduce in the homes we build; however, it is an important toolkit in creating a green lifestyle. Having a weekly meal plan is a great way to make sure as little food goes to waste as possible. With this writer’s caveat being to have a floating “I do not want to cook day” incorporated in your meal plan to allow yourself forgiveness when you do not stick to the plan rigidly. This will allow you to keep a meal planning habit going without giving up when you break the plan due to emergencies or just a hard day.
5. Compost Your Food Waste
A great way to keep your gardens and indoor plants happy is to make your own fertilizer. You can achieve this by turning your organic waste into compost. This self-sustaining cycle can help you save money and deepen the green shade of your thumb.
These ideas are only a small selection of what you can do to enhance the benefits of living in a new Zero Energy Ready Garbett Home. While this article mostly focused on small habits or changes to your lifestyle that can amplify your home. Catch our next blog on more products and project that you can utilize, with a little monetary investment, to make your home “Greener”.