This Earth Day, home can serve as the foundation of our journey towards a more sustainable future. By taking small and intentional steps towards the health and future of our planet and its inhabitants, we are forming an important part in a global partnership for the preservation of our environment for generations to come. From solar panels to rain barrels, find out how you can make environmentally-conscious changes in your home with the guide below.

01. Keep The Temperature In

A well-insulated home holds in heat and cooling properly, meaning vital energy and cost savings all year round. Start with a proper inspection and evaluation of your walls and roof, then look to installing high-quality double-glazed windows which can dramatically reduce energy loss. Then look to your heating and cooling system itself — consider upgrading your radiators or central heating system to energy-efficient models, or consider underfloor heating which can be a worthwhile consideration for high-end and minimalist homes.

02. Keep It Smart; Unplug When Possible

Our home heating systems are one of the biggest ways we consume energy as homeowners or renters. One of the best ways to deal with this is to look into having a smart thermostat system installed in your home. Programmable temperatures that adapt to your household’s day-to-day activities, multi-room control, vacation safety controls for while you are away, and much more make this solution as attractive as it is efficient at reducing your home’s carbon footprint and energy costs. Lights set on timers or controlled by wifi plugs help to ensure you are only using what you need. Plus, remembering to unplug electronic appliances when not in use (like plugging in toaster once in the AM for breakfast and unplugging right after) also helps to reduce your energy consumption as these devices pull energy, even while not in use.

03. Soak Up The Rain

Rain barrels capture water from a roof and hold it for later use such as on lawns, gardens or indoor plants. Collecting roof runoff in rain barrels reduces the amount of water that flows from your property, and is a great way to conserve water for use in your landscape. Rain barrels are highly recommended for their easy setup and use, and are the perfect investment for anyone with a garden or lawn who is also concerned about conserving water. As an added bonus, plants prefer rain water as it contains nitrate – the most bio-available form of nitrogen. Nitrogen is one of the three key macro-nutrients that plants need to thrive – necessary for the development of lush foliage. Also switching to rainwater is preferable as most processed water contains added chemicals, which can be beneficial for humans, but can have a negative impact on plants.

Live in Cook County? There is a rain barrel program available for residents of Illinois for discounted barrels ($20-50) - sign up to order your barrels here. Limit 2 per residence.

No space for a rain barrel, or gardening on a balcony? Simply set out a few containers or 5 gallon buckets and allow the rain to naturally collect. You may even attract more wildlife like birds and bees by providing a water source in your yard!

04. Let There Be Light

For any home striving for off-the-grid energy sources, solar panels are an essential feature. They are a long-term investment, and although there will be an initial layout of money, as the years accrue and you start to store the energy you’ve generated you could potentially save more money than your initial investment spend and even generate enough electricity to live virtually off the grid. Luxury solar panel systems blend in seamlessly into your roof’s layout, and some systems even integrate fully with the structure of your home so that they are practically hidden in plain sight.

05. Go Big on Appliances

When it comes to appliances and other home features, you get what you pay for in terms of efficiency, customizability, and energy conservation. A high-end kitchen setup will not only allow you to more effortlessly prepare meals with smart technology, but will also save valuable energy. The same goes for investing in a top-shelf shower setup — a high-quality aerated or low-flow shower head can be just as luxurious as standard shower setups — as well as eco-friendly laundry appliances, all of which can drastically cut down on water waste.

Looking for simple swaps to maximize the efficiency of what you already own? Try line-drying your clothes in the summer or using a foldable drying rack indoors, instead of using the heat from your dryer.