Dear Readers,

Please join me in welcoming Abby Holt, our first guest writer on Sustaining Tree! Abby is the creator of Craftability, made to inspire readers to put their own crafting abilities to good use, whether it’s painting, jewelry-making, quilting, or calligraphy.

Guest Writer, Abby Holt:

The concept of regenerative homes has emerged as a powerful solution to address environmental challenges. Unlike traditional eco-friendly homes, regenerative homes take sustainability a step further by actively contributing to the restoration and regeneration of the environment. Understandably, the concept of regenerative homes can be new to a lot of people, but don’t fret as in this article we’ll explore its ins and outs and sensible changes homeowners can make to their properties.

What Are Regenerative Homes?

Regenerative homes are designed with the idea of sustainability in mind. In addition to reducing one’s carbon footprint at the time of building the home, regenerative practices focus on helping homeowners to minimize their negative impacts on the environment and support ecological restoration.

Benefits of regenerative homes:

• By utilizing renewable energy sources such as solar panels, these homes significantly reduce carbon emissions per household.

• Adding regenerative landscaping i.e. planting local varieties of flora, helps to foster biodiversity and protect the natural ecological systems of your location.

• Leveraging renewable energy sources also has a positive impact on your wallet, as you reduce your dependency on commercial grids and their ever-increasing power costs.

Prioritize Energy Saving & Sustainability

Regenerative homes place a strong emphasis on generating their own sustainable energy and decreasing dependence on conventional power sources. Here are the best ways to do so:

• Install Solar Panels: Homeowners living in areas that receive an abundance of sunlight can install solar panels to significantly reduce their utility bills and dependency on fossil fuels. While you may not be able to power your entire home through this method, as reported by Rikur Energy, installing multiple panels can generate sufficient energy to heat/cool your home and power cooking appliances and outdoor lights.

• Switch To Renewable Power Providers: As reported by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), up to 20% of annual electricity produced in the United States is through renewable sources. Additionally, more homeowners than ever across the country now have the option to power their homes through renewable power providers. All one needs to do is find a participating power provider in their area and put in a request to switch.

• Use Smart Home Tech: Consider replacing your old appliances and thermostats with smart home tech, such as new-age thermostats that can be controlled with apps and smart heaters/coolers that prioritize energy savings. Additionally, homeowners can consider purchasing these goods from local green businesses, as this provides them the necessary monetary support to continue innovating and selling products that help reduce emissions and promote savings.

Invest In Regenerative Landscaping

One of the best ways homeowners can have a direct impact on improving the environment is through regenerative landscaping. By having native plant species in their outdoor spaces, homeowners can attract pollinators and other fauna that creates a thriving local ecosystem.

• Choose Native Plants: Depending on your home location, choose species that are well-adapted to the climate and don’t require the use of pesticides or excessive watering to survive.

• Practice Companion Planting: This involves growing two plants near each other for the benefit of one or both of the plants. For instance, planting flowers next to crops helps to attract pollinating insects. Additionally, some plant varieties help to keep weeds or harmful insects at bay, helping to further strengthen the natural ecosystem in your garden.

• Rainwater Harvesting: Whether you live in an area with abundant or limited rainfall, practicing rainwater harvesting is a great way to achieve self-sustainability for your water needs. Collected rainwater can be used for irrigation, washing, cleaning, and a host of other activities, significantly reducing your dependence on tap water.

By prioritizing renewable energy sources and embracing regenerative landscaping practices, homeowners can play a significant role in reducing their carbon footprint and supporting local ecosystems. Additionally, installing smart tech and supporting local green businesses helps to further innovation in the field of regenerative technology and work towards a sustainable future.

~ Thanks for reading, and check out Abby’s other articles on her website, Craftability!~