Do you ever get the nagging feeling that you should be doing more to make your lifestyle a more sustainable one? Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get started on building a greener, more energy-efficient lifestyle. Some of the changes are more challenging than others, and costs vary greatly. But, in the end it is entirely possible to go about your daily routine of work, rest, and play in a more environmentally wise way. Here are several ways to get the ball rolling, as well as a bit of advice about how to cover any upfront expenses associated with going green.
Finance Your New Way of Living
Life is a series of trade-offs. When it comes to selecting a more responsible course of action, it’s necessary to pay for the needed improvements along the way. The good news is that nearly every sustainable change you make ends up paying for itself after a few months or years. For instance, you might need to shell out a few thousand dollars to cover your roof with solar panels, but what you save on utility bills in the long-run counters that initial investment at some point in the future. The smartest way to cover those early outlays of capital is to take out a personal loan from a private lender. Not only is it easy to shop around for competitive rates and terms online, but applying takes just a few minutes.
1. Use an E-Bike
If you live in or near a city and make a lot of short trips in your car, consider the advantages of owning an e-bike. For about one-fourth what you’d pay for a used car, an e-bike can get you to the store, hair salon, post office, dentist, and other errand type destination for pennies per mile. The benefit is it’s possible to cut gasoline use down by as much as 50 percent with very little effort.
2. Drive a PHEV
Purchasing a plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle can be a wise investment for anyone who wants to make a smaller carbon footprint and save money on gasoline. PHEVs are now sold by most of the major automakers, and prices have come down considerably since the debut of the Chevy Volt in 2011. How do you save? Every time you drive a PHEV, you have the choice of burning gasoline or using the electric battery for power. Most of the current models on the market get about 60 miles per overnight charge (via a standard electrical outlet). Many PHEV owners plug their batteries in every night and only use the gasoline engine for long trips.
3. Heat and Cool Your Home with Solar Energy
Using roof-mounted solar panels is an ideal way to chop home electric bills by a significant margin. Initial costs for the panels and for installation can be a bit on the pricey side, but not nearly as costly as typical home improvements. The kicker is that when it comes time to sell your home, you can recoup most or all the cost of the panels.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
