If you've already made minor eco-friendly changes to your lifestyle, such as using reusable water bottles or canvas bags, you may want to start making larger-scale changes to your home. Here are five tips on how to make your home more green.

1. Change Your Light Bulbs

Despite the fact that incandescent light bulbs are the most commonly used in the United States, they're not the most environmentally friendly. This is because they only convert 10% of energy into light, while the other 90% is lost as heat. This causes your air conditioning to work harder to keep your home cool, which increases your energy bills and negatively affects the environment.

Instead, try opting for LED bulbs. LEDs use up to 80% less energy than incandescents, and they also have a much longer life. While LEDs typically last for up to 50,000 hours, incandescents need to be replaced after about 1,000 hours. As an additional benefit, LED bulbs don't emit a significant amount of heat, so you won't have to worry about wasting energy to keep your home's temperature down.

2. Install Solar Panels

While installing solar panels can seem like a large task, it can have positive effects on your life in the short and long term. Solar panels work by absorbing the sun's energy to generate an electricity flow. In addition to protecting the environment by generating clean energy, solar panels can also:

• Cut down on energy bills

• Decrease your carbon footprint

• Improve your home's value

• Allow you to earn tax credits and other forms of compensation

Researching a solar installer North Carolina can ensure that your solar panels are installed professionally and you won't run into any issues in the future.

3. Seal Your Home

During the winter, cold air can enter your home through various gaps and cracks. This causes your heat to work harder to keep your home warm. Not only will this increase your energy bills, but it also wreaks havoc on the environment. Insulation is an effective and affordable way to stop air from entering your home, and it's environmentally friendly because it's constructed using green materials. From blanket to foam board to concrete block, there are many types of insulation to choose from. You can also use caulk to seal areas that are prone to air leakages, such as doors and window frames. 

4. Opt for a Programmable Thermostat

Unlike a traditional thermostat, which can be extremely wasteful, a programmable thermostat is designed to adjust your heat or air conditioning depending on your needs. For example, if you know you're going to be away from home but you don't want your house to get too hot, you can program your thermostat to turn on the air conditioning intermittently instead of leaving it on the entire time you're gone.

It's important to keep in mind that small changes can go a long way in protecting the environment. For example, raising your thermostat just two degrees in the summer can save you up to $35 a year. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, lowering your thermostat by 10 degrees for eight hours, such as when you're sleeping, can save you up to 15% on your utility bill. 

5. Install Dual-Flush Toilets

Dual-flush toilets are a great option if you're looking to reduce your water usage. Unlike a conventional toilet, a dual-flush toilet has two flush options:

• Liquid waste, which uses 0.8 gallons per flush

• Solid waste, which uses 1.6 gallons per flush

Dual-flush toilets can reduce your water consumption by up to 80%, or 4,000 gallons of water a year. Additionally, they tend to clog less than traditional toilets, which can save you time and headaches in the future.

Building a green home is a rewarding endeavor that can benefit your wallet and the environment for many years to come. Consider implementing these five tips to convert your home into an energy-efficient abode.