benefits of green technology

10 Benefits of Green Technology You Should Be Aware Of

Jane Marsh - May 8, 2020

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Every day, people decide to change their lifestyles to become more sustainable. They might want to minimize their carbon footprint or help the local environment. It depends on your goals, but you don’t have to figure out your new status-quo on your own.

Technology is here to help you reach your sustainability goals. Check out these 10 benefits of green technology you should be aware of. They’ll help you ease into your new habits so that you can enjoy every step along your upcoming eco-friendly journey.

1. Solar Batteries Reduce Electrical Use

Every home needs lighting, but you may want to reduce how much electricity you depend on. You can always switch to solar lighting, which uses batteries that recharge in the sunlight. Your home and yard will shine at night, all without consuming non-renewable resources.

2. Source Different Electricity

You probably paid your local electric company to power your home in the past, but you can look into switching to a green energy company today. They’ll add you to their roster of clients and give your home renewable energy from their solar and wind turbine farms, even if they aren’t in your city. Research your options online to find an energy provider who meets your sustainable goals. 

3. Check Out Geothermal Heat Pumps

Depending on where you live, you may be able to invest in a geothermal heat pump for your home. Professionals will install it under your property so that it doesn’t affect how your home looks. It will heat your house when its cold without consuming the electricity an HVAC unit needs to do the same work. 

4. LED Bulbs Shine Bright

Technology has progressed from providing only fluorescent and incandescent lighting. Now, you can get LED bulbs and save 70% more energy when you need to turn on the lights. 

5. Composting Science Converts Waste

People use a mixture of modern technology and old practices to make daily composting easier for anyone who wants to become sustainable. All you need is a weather-resistant bin to set yourself up for success. You can compost a multitude of items, including coffee grounds, paper filters, old newspapers, eggshells, tea bags, hair, matches, toothpicks and more. 

6. Calculate Your Carbon Footprint

Before technology became part of daily life, it was hard to figure out if your habits helped or hurt the planet. Now, you can calculate your carbon footprint from the comfort of your couch. Learn more about which activities are good and bad for the earth so that you can fine-tune your sustainable lifestyle. 

7. Learn From Eco-Friendly Experts

One of the most significant technological advantages you can take advantage of is learning from the experts. Most people who lead sustainable movements run free online blogs you can access any time, such as Grist, Clean Technica or Mother Nature Network. Sign up for their newsletters so that you’re always aware of what’s available to you and your lifestyle. 

8. Track Precipitation Levels

You might consider harvesting rainwater to balance out how much water you use every day. However, that’s only helpful if you know you’ll get enough rain to help you out. Technology gives people an easy way to track future precipitation levels so that you know if rainwater is a reliable resource. If you start tracking local weather systems and discover you’ll be in a dry period for the next few months, you can always harvest rainwater later on in the year when it will be most effective.

9. Grow Hydroponic Gardens

Tech provides the opportunity to learn, especially when it comes to gardening. You can read online about how to grow a hydroponic garden — a system you can build with PVC pipes and a plastic container — which is more eco-friendly than a traditional garden. Hydroponic gardening structures use less water than soil-based ones because there isn’t any dirt or competing plants to drain the water. Design your hydroponic system any way you like to fit your living space indoors or outdoors.

10. Learn More About Yourself

As you continue your new sustainable journey, you can use technology to track what you learn about yourself. Keep an online diary with pictures of your progress, like how your electricity bill decreases or what kind of plants you’re able to grow. Keep up with your efforts with a carbon footprint calculator and make the adjustments you need to be more eco-friendly in the months and years to come.

Try New Green Technologies for a Sustainable Lifestyle

You may not have used something like solar-powered lighting or hydroponic gardens before, but there’s always a time to start. Try new technologies to see what they teach you about sustainability and encourage you through your new lifestyle changes. Many benefits come with green technologies, such as saving money, that you can take advantage of after you become aware of what they are and how they help.

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About the author

Jane Marsh

Starting from an early age, Jane Marsh loved all animals and became a budding environmentalist. Now, Jane works as the Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co where she covers topics related to climate policy, renewable energy, the food industry, and more.