During this turbulent time when environmental degradation is at an all-time high, switching to greener alternatives is not a choice but a necessity. According to a report by Guardian, “The 2024 ozone hole is now among the 25% largest in our records since 1979, but the process is still underway”. This is not just alarming but very depressing that the protective layer that has been guarding us against the glare of the sun is depleting at such a fast pace.
Experts suggest that although you can not undo the damage that has already been done, you can definitely slow down the depletion if not stop it completely. The best time to start environmental conservation is now. You can start from within the four walls of your house. Every step that you take towards greener earth adds to the healthy life of the planet. The importance of choosing eco-friendly homes cannot be stressed enough, but here we are presenting the top-5 reasons why eco-friendly homes are important.
1. Better Health
Living and breathing in a polluted environment can have serious implications on your health. If you remain exposed to pollution for a long duration, you can get serious health issues that can be passed on to the coming generations. Therefore, living in a safe and clean space is essential for your health and also increases life expectancy.
Having eco-friendly homes means less dangerous gas and energy emissions, which is imperative for improving the mental and physical health of a person. Considering the amount of pollution that we are exposed to every day when we move out, it has become mandatory to at least one place where you can breathe fresh air.
Also, ever since Covid-19 has locked us all inside the four walls of our home, keeping it eco-friendly has become even more important. Encourage your family members, and increasing awareness amongst young children about the importance of a clean environment is the best start to having an eco-friendly home.
2. Easy on Pockets
Eco-friendly houses usually avoid conventional household items that consume a lot of energy. Instead, they make use of natural and safe alternatives that are comparatively more durable and hence reduce the maintenance cost of the house considerably. It uses energy-efficient items such as LED lights, Green Air Conditioners, etc., that produce less heat and are cost-effective.
These houses promote Recycling and Reuse practices that save you the additional cost of buying fresh articles. In addition to that, eco-friendly houses that have a good number of plants in them cool down the temperature naturally, thereby reducing the power wasted on ACs and coolers. The plants also keep the air fresh, and hence the money that was to be spent on air purifiers can be saved and invested in something more productive.
3. Saves Water
According to a report by Worldwide Life, nearly 1.1 billion people across the globe lack access to water. Also, a total of 2.7 billion faces the issue of water scarcity for at least one month of the year. Some experts even suggest that the third world war would be fought for clean drinking water.
Eco-friendly homes ensure that you do your part in saving water from being wasted. Most of these houses have rain barrels and use the practice of rainwater harvesting to save rainwater for later use. There are no showers in the bathrooms that help in conserving water.
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Eco-friendly homes have bamboo mattress protectors instead of cotton ones because the production of bamboo consumes only half of the water needed to grow cotton. In addition, they have dual flush systems that reduce the water consumption of cisterns by two times.
All these features inside the house help save a considerable amount of water that would otherwise go down the drain. According to a report by Water, Wise U.K states that dual flush systems alone save 60–70% of the water that is usually wasted in traditional cisterns. So a small step can make a big difference.
4. Reduce Heating and Cooling Needs
Eco-friendly houses are designed so that they use less amount of energy to cool and heat. Insulation traps the air inside the house and stops the outside air from coming in. You get a pleasant temperature at home around the year that helps you relax better, unaffected by the strong heat and cold waves.
It helps you save a good amount of money and energy that would otherwise be spent on expensive gadgets to cover the energy needs of a badly insulated house. If you are moving to a new house, always look for one with huge windows that can let some cool breeze and a lot of sunlight in.
Also, keep plenty of in-house plants in all parts of your house. In addition to maintaining a pleasant temperature, these plants are one of the most easily manageable decor items. You can easily clean them and enjoy their charm. Just looking at these green beauties can have a very soothing impact on your mental health.
5. Environment Conservation
Lastly, the most significant reason you should adapt to eco-friendly living is that it reduces chemical abuse and helps Mother Nature heal and rejuvenate. At present, the world is going through a rough patch ecologically as the greenhouse effect is on a constant rise, sea levels are rising, glaciers are melting, the ozone layer is depleting, and air quality is getting worse with each passing year.
The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risks Report 2024 has placed environmental degradation as the top long-term risk for the second year in a row. The report classifies climate change as a “catastrophic risk” and stresses that a shift to a green economy cannot be delayed until the shocks of the pandemic recede. Hence, it has become the need of the hour.
Final Thoughts
Now that you are already aware of the importance of having an eco-friendly home, you should not delay adopting it in your life. It will not only help you do your part to save mother nature but also help you save significantly.
