Want to do your part to help the environment? If you’re new to living a green lifestyle, there are some things you can do to immediately reduce your environmental impact and protect the planet. Here are five things you can do around the house to live an eco-friendly lifestyle.

1. Switch to Solar

The single best way you can go green at home is by reducing your carbon footprint by switching to solar. Although there are some upfront costs associated with purchasing and installing the panels, people who switch to solar dramatically reduce their monthly energy bills. There are also some tax credits available to reduce that up-front cost. Not only are you doing great things for your pocketbook, but you’re also greatly helping the environment. Remember that traditional homeowners’ insurance policies typically don’t cover green energy upgrades like solar panels and battery systems. Make sure to get alternative energy systems insurance quotes to make sure that you’re covered in case of an accident.

2. Watch What You Eat

Did you know that it takes a lot of energy and water to produce red meat? Raising and transporting livestock is actually quite harmful to the environment. You can easily lower your carbon footprint by changing what you eat and eating less meat. If you want to take it a step further, create a vegetable garden in your yard to produce some of your favorite fruits and vegetables. You’ll save money and feel healthier, too.

3. Change Your Light Bulbs

It takes a lot of electricity to power old-fashioned light bulbs. Using LED bulbs throughout the house helps you instantly reduce your energy consumption. They burn brighter on less energy, and the bulbs last longer, too. You can find LED bulbs in a full range of brightness and color temperatures, allowing you to get creative with your lighting and adjust it to your needs.

4. Paint the Lawn

Everyone wants that gorgeous, green “trophy lawn” when summertime rolls around. If you live in an area with abundant rainfall, it’s probably not too hard to keep your grass green. For most people, though, the summer heat dries out the grass, requiring extra water to keep the grass growing and green.

If you notice your grass drying out in the summer months, resist the urge to keep watering it. Instead, go green by painting the lawn. You can find grass paint online or in your local hardware store. It’s non-toxic and biodegradable. You don’t have to worry about its effect on the grass – it’ll still keep growing. Use a garden sprayer to cover any areas of grass that are turning brown. It might take a few coats, but you’ll soon have a greener lawn without the usual water waste.

5. Change Your Bathing Habits

Water is a precious resource, and it’s a finite one, too. There are some strategies you can use to reduce your water consumption at home. Swap out your showerhead with a low-flow option. These showerheads have improved in recent years so that you don’t have to sacrifice water pressure to reduce your water usage. Also consider installing an ultra-high efficiency toilet. They use a little bit of water and a lot of pressure to remove waste. Since toilet flushing is the single largest contributor to a home’s water use, you’ll make a big dent in your overall water consumption.

Everyone has a role to play in the protection of the environment. It’s not hard to live a more eco-conscious lifestyle, and it can actually save you money and keep you healthy in the long run. Follow the tips above and feel confident that you’re doing your part to protect the planet.