Turning your home into an eco-friendly dwelling not only saves you money, but it also helps save the environment. While many argue that energy-efficient models are more costly than their traditional counterparts, the upfront investments yield remarkable savings over the lifetime of the appliance or product. Energy consumption is a drain on the earth’s fossil fuels, but eco-friendly appliances, sustainable building practices and green production can reduce the negative impact human lifestyle has on the environment. Here is a quick guide to upgrading your appliances to eco-friendly options.

1. Refrigerator and/or Freezer

Rated alongside residential or commercial AC units in terms of consumption, refrigerators and freezers run continuously throughout the day and draw a significant portion of the total energy consumption for a dwelling. In addition to the energy use, these appliances also emit a high level of greenhouse gasses. Though most households find refrigerators, freezers or a combo unit a staple, there are ways to reduce the amount of energy consumed by the appliance.

Size your fridge to the space you need and not much more. If you don’t use the water spout or ice maker, opt for a model that doesn’t contain these features. It will save on energy costs. Search for your fridge among models that are Energy Star Certified, and Samsung products are a good place to start for convenient size and low energy impact. Keeping your condenser coils clean, having a tight rubber seal on your unit’s doors and taking care to thoroughly cool leftovers before storing them in the fridge or freezer are small changes that can have an impact on energy use as well.

2. Laundry Appliances

Even though they may not be used every day, the laundry machines are common in the average household and have a serious impact on the environment every time they are used. The average load of clothes consumes 40 gallons or more of water and releases over 700,000 micro plastics that find their way to the ocean. Avoiding usage is difficult, but you can still turn your laundry days into a more eco-friendly activity.

You can eliminate unnecessary washes, using the sniff test or quick observation to find out if a pair of pants or a shirt can go another day. Air dry clothes on a rack or clothesline instead of using the dryer, and wash water in cold water instead of hot to save on the energy bill. Detergents contain harsh chemicals that impact the rate of water pollution. Switch to wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets, and look into essential oils or natural products for detergents.

3. Dishwasher

While it may seem like it is the answer to getting the kitchen clean in a hurry, a dishwasher can be a source of needless energy consumption and harmful chemical pollutants. There are Energy Star dishwashers available to purchase, but you can also make your current appliance more eco-friendly. Start by buying non-toxic dish detergents or pods. Choose to let your dishes air dry or towel dry them rather than using the heat and drying option on the dishwasher.

4. Heating and Cooling

HVAC systems are known for their energy consumption, and for many, having temperature control systems are non-negotiable. Though there are energy-efficient models to help reduce use, geothermal heat pumps are one of the most eco-friendly heating and cooling options available. A geothermal system is able to deliver five units of energy compared to what one unit of electricity supplied systems produce. There can be as much as 70% savings combined for hot water, cooling and heating needs. Geothermal systems release no harmful greenhouse gasses.

Whether small lifestyle changes or complete appliance updates, turning your home into an eco-friendly operation helps the environment and your wallet. Sustainable living is worth the effort and investment.