Sustainability

 Ways to make my home more sustainable? That’s a tough challenge.

We bought a mill house that is now over 100 years old. We’ve lived in it for more than 43 years now. It is in the 1000–1100 square foot range.

Over the years, we’ve added or done the following things.

• We installed multiple roofs, with the last one being metal.
• We installed a heat pump with a thermostat and backup gas heat.
• We installed double pane windows.
• Added a water filter to the cold water kitchen faucet.
• Added insulation.
• We are converting to led lighting.
• We added railing to the front steps.
• We maintain upkeep on the front porch.
• We added floor coverings and moisture barriers.
• We converted the bathroom to one that is more ADA.
• We installed a back deck, cover, wheelchair ramp.

I hear the question—what does the above have to do with sustainability.

• We maintain and improve our current home with the expressed desire to live in it until we pass.
• We are in an established town with sewer, water, gas, and electricity.
• We have converted to more energy-efficient systems over the years.

The contents of the house, what about them?

• Only replace items when they are nonfunctional or no longer fit our lifestyle.
• Repurpose items whenever possible.
• We repair items as necessary, doing the work ourselves when we are qualified.
• If we replace a functioning item, we gift it to someone with a need.

What about growing our food? Shouldn’t we be doing that?

• Growing food source animals are prohibited.
• A garden? I suppose we could do that; we tried it a few times without much success, but we could do something like a raised or victory garden. The lot is small.
• We don’t water the grass.

Recycling?

Of course, we do. Our town picks up every other week and has a garbage pickup too!. Electronics, etc., are taken to a specific site a county over.

Little things

• Energy-efficient large appliances
• Cloth hand towels
• Two sets of bed linens
• Use washable kitchen items instead of disposable ones
• Clothing and linens are washing machine washable
• Air drying clothing and dishes as much as possible
• Cooking meals that can do double duty

We could do more things; however, if we don’t have the skills or the physical ability to do them, can we?

Isn’t it better to hire someone with the necessary skill sets to do tasks than waste time and resources attempting functions for which we are ill-suited?

That’s it off the top of my head. Yes, I know there are countless articles about specific sustainable products—research before you buy. Buy quality and long-lasting things. Avoid fads.

And a final word, build memories with family/friends. Memories are the things you cherish or cringe from as your life’s clock ticks.