Wondering how you can combat the effects of climate change? Everyone has a part to play in taking care of the environment, and there are changes you can make to your home to live sustainably. Here are three of the most effective ways that you can go green at home.

1. Switch to Solar

The best way you can go green in your everyday life is by reducing your reliance on energy produced from the burning of fossil fuels. Now, more than ever, it’s a smart decision to buy solar panels and make switch to solar to power your home. Worried about the cost? Luckily, there are plenty of government tax breaks available to assist you with the upfront costs involved with going solar. Once you’ve installed a solar energy system, you’ll recoup the cost through the massive savings on your monthly energy bills and as an added bonus, your home appreciates, too.

You might be surprised to know that you’re able to use solar energy even after the sun goes down. Pair your solar energy system with a battery so that you’re able to store some of the energy soaked up by the panels during the day. You’ll never have to worry about energy bills again!

You can also switch to solar in smaller ways, too, starting with your landscape lighting. In recent years, solar-powered lanterns have increased in reliability and functionality, and they’re a great option for lighting paths and walkways in your yard. In addition, consider installing a photovoltaic system of lighting to light areas such as your porch, patio or deck. These systems are totally off-grid, which means they don’t need to be hardwired into your power system. It’s really easy way to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint.

2. Add Insulation

Energy loss not only affects the comfort level you feel at home, it also has a major impact on the environment. Whether you live in an area that’s typically cool or one that’s very warm, it’s important that your home is properly sealed to prevent heating and cooling loss. There are several places around the house where some extra insulation is beneficial. If you have an attic, use loose fill insulation to prevent energy loss through the roof. If you’re working on a tight budget, it’s a smart idea to bolster the insulation in the room of the house that’s used the most. Add insulation under the floor of this room so that you’ll be a little more comfortable and reduce the extent that your heating or cooling system needs to run.

3. Make Landscaping Changes

Don’t limit your eco-friendly improvements to just the interior of the house, as there are actually plenty of ways to help the environment through your landscaping. In recent years, homeowners have begun to ditch the traditional lawn for options that are more beneficial for the environment. Not only do traditional lawns require a significant amount of water for proper growth, they also cause carbon emissions because you need to mow them often. Consider reseeding your lawn with a seed mixture that contains fescue grass. This slow-growing, drought-resistant grass requires much less water and mowing than traditional grass, and it looks great, too.

You can also make eco-friendly landscaping choices in the plantings that you choose for your yard. The main thing to remember with landscaping is that native plants are a sustainable choice for your garden. Go to your local garden center and ask the experts about the native plants that are best from your area and be sure to avoid ones that are invasive or aggressive. Cover planting areas with mulch – it keeps the weeds down and retains moisture to feed the plants that you want to feed, reducing your overall water needs.

It’s not hard to make home improvements that have a positive effect on the environment, and most of the time, these improvements benefit your wallet, too. Follow these tips and feel confident that you’ve made sensible home renovations that will benefit the planet for years to come.