American Data Proves Sustainable Living Is Affordable
Sustainable living is affordable but Sustainable Purchases can be expensive upfront but in the long run costs will decrease because these choices typically result in lower utility bills, reduced maintenance costs, and even potential tax incentives. Did you know the average American household spends nearly $2,000 a year just on energy bills? Sustainable living isn’t just good for the planet, it can save you money in the long run.
If you are thinking about adopting a sustainable lifestyle but are afraid of the expense or inconvenience, think again! Get ready to clear your queries on cost & expenses while living sustainably.
What will I learn?
Sustainable Living Cost in America
Energy Cost
In 2022, An Average American consumption of electricity is around 899KwH per month which is 10788 KwH annually. If an individual follows sustainable practices by using Solar Panel or other Energy Star Certified products than electricity consumption will be around 30% less. So the annual cost of electricity bill will be 30% lesser. Data Source :- US Energy Information Administration
You may also think BUT it also cost extra money to buy solar panels and other appliances! It does but the long term cost will out weigh your initial cost for sure.
Transportation Cost
If you choose green transportation then the maintenance cost like servicing cost, Fueling cost will drop down by 60%. Cycling, Public Transportations or Sharing a ride can save up to 13,000$ for a family annually in USA. This is the data shared by The American Public Transportation Association.
DID YOU KNOW?
Traveling by public transportation is 10 times safer per mile than traveling by automobile.
The average household spends 16 cents of every dollar on transportation, and 93% of this goes to buying, maintaining, and operating cars, the largest expenditure after housing. Hence, This data proves sustainable living is affordable.
Grocery Cost
Sustainable Living is also about producing your own food. If you have a garden and you start to grow vegetables then this will significantly reduce your grocery cost. Seed for the vegetables are relatively cheaper and it’s a lot healthier for you and good for the environment.
Talking about the meat intake , If you can reduce and replace it with Beans and other high protein vegetable then cost of grocery will get very low. Seeds are easily available in the market and there is a report published by National Gardening Association that every 70$ you spend on a seed will yield a production of around 500$, If you are good at gardening.
Build Green
When you build a home, You plan to stay for a longer period of time So Why not to construct with sustainable option such as passive solar design, energy-efficient insulation, and renewable energy systems like solar panels. Such installation will increase the cost But they can lead to significant savings on energy bills over the lifetime of the home.
Average monthly electricity bill in USA is 117$ with system installation like heating and cooling (accounts for 30-40% of 117$) If you construct home with green technologies than you can save around 30-60% of energy.
There are currently more than 86000 LEEED certified residential homes that are certified as affordable housing. Find more at US Green Building Councel . Therefore this data proves sustainable living is affordable and people are building green homes.
Are there financial incentives available for sustainable living initiatives?
Yes, various financial incentives are available in the form of tax credits, rebates, grants, and low-interest loans. These incentives aim to encourage individuals and businesses to adopt sustainable practices such as installing solar panels, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, and implementing green building techniques. Due to such incentives & government regulations sustainable living is affordable.
What are some cost-effective sustainable living practices?
Several sustainable living practices can be cost-effective, including energy conservation measures like sealing drafts, using energy-efficient appliances, reducing water consumption, composting, growing your own food, using public transportation or carpooling, and investing in renewable energy sources such as solar panels.
Is sustainable living expensive?
No sustainable living is affordable! As we have mentioned above, Sustainable living can have higher upfront costs due to investments in eco-friendly technologies and products. However, over time, it often proves to be more cost-effective due to reduced energy bills, lower maintenance expenses, and potential savings in healthcare costs.
Have you read, Our Author’s Story on how he started to live a sustainable life?
NO? Here it is :- Bibek’s Experience on sustainable living.
Conclusion ; Sustainable living is affordable
If you are thinking of starting sustainable lifestyle , We guess now we have cleared the myth of “Sustainable living is expensive and only for the Rich”. Everyone can afford the path towards sustainability little or more, step by step. Sustainable living is not only cheaper but more rewarding to you and the environment.
Please share your suggestions & queries with us at [email protected] .
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