Blog Stories Easy Sustainable Choices & Changes You Can Make in Your Home

Easy Sustainable Choices & Changes You Can Make in Your Home

By Bonnie Roseman, November 28, 2022

Portland is a hub of historical homes, with character behind every low gabled roof and foursquare layout. Oh, if those walls could talk! However, Older homes need love, maintenance and to be teased into modernity.
Upgrading our homes to be more energy efficient and user-friendly can be a great creative outlet. Start with small changes that can make a huge difference. Let’s dive into effective and simple ways to support a sustainable home.

 

Green Home Improvements

The little things often have the largest impact. First, investing in smart technology in your home is a great way to ensure no resources are wasted. One of the most useful items you can buy is a programmable thermostat that monitors your heating and cooling systems. This can be controlled by an app on your phone, so whether you are grabbing a bite to eat in Northeast or shopping along Hawthorne, if you realize you forgot to turn off the heat, you can flip the switch on the go. This will reduce your energy usage and lower your energy bill – a win, win!

 

Another really easy way to be more sustainable is to switch out old light bulbs for more energy-efficient choices. LED bulbs are eco-friendly and long-lasting, so you’ll end up saving money in the long run by making this switch. I suggest opting for warm-toned LED lights to brighten your home during the overcast months. Ridwell is a fantastic way to recycle the old bulbs.

 

Continuing with our home tour, did you know you produce the most waste by far in the kitchen? Your kitchen appliances should also be considered when looking for sustainable options in your home. If you have a refrigerator that is over 15 years old, it uses twice as much energy as an energy-star-certified refrigerator. Upgrading to an energy-star certified dishwasher will increase efficiency by at least 12% and only use about 4 gallons of water per wash.

 

Make Green Life Choices

Regardless of the appliances you have and the upgrades you make to your home, there are also everyday life choices you should be considerate of when trying to live sustainably. For example, only  run the washing machine or dishwasher when you have a full load so you’ll save water.
The products you use around your home also make a difference. Use natural cleaning products whenever possible since they do not have harsh chemicals. Choosing to buy food locally from farmer’s markets will help to reduce food packaging while supporting local businesses. Food packaging like plastic wrap and cartons makes up about 45% of landfill materials, so making sure to buy products with little to no packaging will make a huge difference. When you can’t avoid it, recycle the packaging. Ridwell will even take hard to recycle clamshell containers!

 

 

Start Today

Living sustainably may seem challenging, but making small changes around your home and in the choices you make each day are great places to start making a difference!

 


For decades, I have been delighted to assist my clients in navigating the ever-changing housing market: whether selling a first home or the family home, looking for a starter pad or a forever habitat, downsizing, resizing, or buying and selling investment property. Reach out today with any questions or if you’re ready for the next step in your real estate journey.

 

Thanks for reading ⭐
Bonnie & Team

Bonnie Roseman

Principal Broker | Earth Advantage | ADU Specialist | OR

She/Her

Hello, we're so glad you're here! My teammates, Trish (Assistant Broker) and Kendall (Office Boss) and I are ready to answer all of your real estate questions and help you make a move when the time is right. We're looking forward to speaking with you soon! - Bonnie Since 1991, she's been delighted to assist clients in navigating the ever changing housing market: whether selling a first home or the family home, looking for a starter pad or a forever habitat, downsizing, resizing or buying and selling investment property. Having a symbiotic connection with your real estate agent is key and will help ensure a great experience. Bonnie enjoys consulting with potential clients to discover their wishes and goals, confirming the right client-agent match. Smooth transactions are the target; however, there can be unexpected bumps getting to the closing table. Bonnie excels at finding creative solutions to any mishegoss that pops up and she takes pride in an extremely low sale fail rate. A little more about Bonnie: born in Philly, raised in Berkeley, mom to an incredible young woman; her home is filled with both furry and scaly creatures, the daily driver is all electric, equality is the only pathway; she's embraced veganism for the earth, the animals and her health. Like credentials? Sweet, here you go:
  • At Home with Diversity Certificate
  • Earth Advantage Broker + ADU Specialist
  • Senior Real Estate Specialist SRES)
  • Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
  • Five Star Professional Award (9 years)
  • Homelight Top Producer and Top Buyers' Agent
  • Nexdoor Neighborhood Favorite
  • Member of the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP)
Saving the best for last, Bender, her little second chance rescue pup from SoCal is likely to tag along. He’s snuggly, pretty cute and has jumped paws first into the real estate industry. We love your referrals, and are honored every time you connect us with your people! With each person you send our way, we will make a small contribution to the Happy Planet program at Loop and Tie, as a token of our gratitude. You get to choose whether it goes to tree planting in Tanzania or removing plastic from the ocean or from rivers. Pretty cool, huh? We will take the BEST care of your folks and send a bit of good out into the world! #pet mama, #dog lover, #cat lover, #animal lover, #empty nester, #Leaf driver, #progressive, #SE Portland, #Hawthorne, #97214, #97215, #97202, #97232, #97201,#97206,#97210,#97211, #97212, #97217, #envronmentalist, #local
Read More
  • T: 503-515-5973
  • bonnie@livingroomre.com

You might also enjoy

Is It Easier To Find a Home To Buy Now?

Chad Meier

One of the biggest hurdles buyers have faced over the past few years has been a...

Why you should get involved with your HOA

Danielle Deschenes

Homeownership comes with a multitude of responsibilities beyond just paying the mortgage and maintaining your property....

When to terminate?

Rachel Cardman-Brewer

When is terminating a contract the best idea? There is no right answer . Sometimes, it’s...

Dogwood days of Milwaukie

Jessica LeDoux

Milwaukie, OR was founded in 1847 and in 1962 was dubbed “The Dogwood City of the West,”...