Reducing your home’s carbon footprint

We've been recycling, reducing water usage, and making sure we keep the lights off for years... so what's next? 

As conscientious individuals, we strive to do our part to preserve the environment. From recycling to conserving energy, we have become familiar with the basic practices that help reduce our home's carbon footprint. But what if we want to take our eco-consciousness to the next level in our homes?

Let's explore the green initiatives people pursued in the 1990s to protect the Earth and how technology has since elevated these practices, making them more accessible and convenient for everyone.

Embracing Recycling

In the 1990s, recycling gained significant momentum as people began to recognize the importance of diverting waste from landfills. Back then, recycling involved sorting different materials manually and often required separate bins. If you were lucky enough to get a few dollars from dropping off your cans at the recycling center, you could buy yourself a $1 pop on the way home.

However, thanks to the relentless pursuit of innovation by technology companies, the recycling landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation. 

Fast forward to today, and we witness the rise of intelligent recycling solutions. Technological advancements have led to automated sorting machines like the Ecohog Recovery Equipment that can identify and separate recyclables efficiently. These machines are designed for low energy consumption, noise levels, and dust emissions. Their machines have demonstrated remarkable performance in enhancing recycling efficiency. By streamlining the sorting process and maximizing the recovery rate, Ecohog's equipment contributes to the circular economy by effectively diverting recyclables from landfills.

There are even companies like WM that are creating Smart Truck technology. WM Smart Truck technology records video footage of the customers bins while tipping the containers into the truck. In addition, the software utilizes GPS to track the service address and automatically marks the pickup as completed. Skilled technicians carefully examine the recorded footage to ensure that materials are deposited into the appropriate containers and collected without any issues. If a container at the service address is overloaded or contains prohibited materials, the technicians promptly notify the customer, allowing them to modify their service or usage accordingly. This innovative solution not only takes care of your waste management needs but also saves you valuable time and money.

Energy Conservation

In the 1990s, turning off lights and turning down the heat when leaving the house was a common practice to conserve energy. I'm sure we can all hear our parents' voices faintly yelling, "Who left these lights on?" right now. Smart home devices now allow us to effortlessly optimize energy usage.

Smart thermostats, like the Ecobee Thermostat, automatically adjust temperatures based on occupancy, you can even Manage hot and cold spots in the most important rooms with included SmartSensor. To make Ecobee even more appealing they have built-in air quality monitors that alert you when air quality is poor and offer tips on how to improve it.

But we won't stop there! Digital, scalable, flexible, and energy-efficient lighting control systems, like Intelligent Lighting Controls, use motion sensors and timers to reduce electricity waste. It can detect whether someone is there to decide whether to light up the room to achieve the purpose of energy saving.

Innovations like renewable energy sources, such as Palmetto solar panels, have become more accessible and affordable, empowering homeowners to generate clean energy. They handle it all for you, from proposal and contract to installation and power! When it's that easy, why not say yes to clean power?

With these innovations, you can leave the house feeling guilt-free, without spending an arm and a leg if you forgot to turn down the thermostat or turn off the lights.

Water Conservation

The 1990s saw a growing concern for water conservation as people realized the importance of preserving this valuable resource. Basic actions like fixing leaky faucets and using water-saving showerheads gained popularity. Today, technology has taken water conservation to new heights.

Rachio smart irrigation systems utilize weather data and soil moisture sensors to optimize watering schedules, preventing water waste. Since 2014, they have conserved billions of gallons of water by allowing you to control the system from your phone, skipping watering when it rains, and allowing you to set a schedule to make sure you’re not overwatering your yard. We all know somebody who overwaters or underwaters, send them the link!

Alert Labs water monitoring devices can detect leaks in real time, ensuring prompt repairs. From monitoring water flow to reducing water damage by shutting the water off automatically when signs of damage appear, their AlertAQ platform analyzes more than 6,700,000,000 gallons of water every year, saving customers over $20,000,000 and helping reduce CO2 emissions by more than 80 million pounds. That is something to be proud of.

Well, If you're looking to minimize your footprint, evaluating the electronics we use every day is the perfect place to start. There are smart appliances you can look into like Beko washing machines and even Miele dishwashers that both use minimal water while maintaining optimal performance and actively monitor how much water and electricity they use with each load.

Traditional washing machines and dishwashers tend to use a substantial amount of water per cycle. Smart appliances, on the other hand, are designed with water-saving features and advanced technology that optimize water usage. They can adjust water levels based on load size, sensor readings, and program settings, ensuring efficient water utilization. By using a smart washer or dishwasher, you can minimize water waste and contribute to water conservation efforts.

Waste Reduction

In the 1990s, reducing waste often only meant composting, which is wonderful, but how well did that really work? And how have we become better in this area of reducing our footprint?

One example of how we have grown into smart kitchen gadgets is items such as the Smarter FridgeCam, which can track food expiration dates and help you avoid doubling up on groceries; it even adds items from your inventory to the shopping list when you run out of them. It’s one of the most inexpensive ways to make any fridge, a smart fridge.

In addition, things like Blu Apple have reduced waste as well. It is an apple-shaped product that sits in your refrigerator and absorbs ethylene gas, allowing consumers to store fresh produce for longer. It lasts for three months before it needs a refill and is capable of extending produce shelf life by up to three times. That broccoli your kids refuse to eat will last even longer now!

So, why are these innovations important?

By harnessing the power of innovation, these companies have created a future where sustainable living is no longer a chore but a natural part of our everyday lives.

Through their ingenious solutions in smart recycling, energy conservation, water management, and waste reduction, these companies have truly revolutionized the way we interact with our environment.

With their unwavering commitment to a greener world, they have paved the way for a brighter and more sustainable future for generations to come. Let’s embrace these advancements and continue to support and adopt eco-friendly technologies when building, buying, and remodeling our homes, knowing that each small step we take towards a more sustainable lifestyle has a significant impact on the well-being of our planet.

Together, we can build a world where convenience and eco-consciousness go hand in hand, creating a balance between technology and nature.