A sustainable lifestyle in Mérida. 5 tips for your home

The sustainable lifestyle is undoubtedly becoming more popular. If you’re going to live in Mérida, Yucatán, you can find options to start your sustainable life. But why is sustainability important? It’s important because we need to preserve the environment and the resources that sustain our current way of life. To achieve this, small — big — actions can be taken that reduce our environmental impact.

Learn these tips for a sustainable life and being friendlier to the environment

How to be more sustainable if you’re going to live in Mérida, Yucatán:

Use your car less often

Cars are responsible for air-pollution emissions and greenhouse gases. Give your car a rest and walk or cycle to work. Living in Mérida, Yucatán, also gives you the option of using public transport, using the bike lanes and being more sustainable.

Choose water- and energy-saving appliances

Kitchen and laundry appliances and air-conditioning equipment, in some areas, can account for up to a third of the electricity consumption in homes. Choose appliances that reduce energy consumption and invest in accessories that promote water saving, such as shower and washing-machine heads and water-saving toilets.

Buy products that encourage fair trade

Fair trade means the product meets certain social, economic and environmental standards. Investing in them is the best option if you want your actions to have an effect.

5 keys to designing a sustainable home

Location. Location is the first step in building a sustainable house. This won’t always be an option, but when possible, and if you’re going to move to Mérida, Yucatán, consider the following points.

Infrastructure. If you can use existing infrastructure, all the better, since you’ll have a good start in reducing your impact on the environment. In that sense, Mérida offers a wide portfolio of old houses that can be renovated.

Sensitive or dangerous sites. Try to avoid building on or choosing dangerous areas such as flood zones. The capital of Yucatán is a safe place to build.

Size. Smaller homes are much more efficient. Building a smaller house will reduce material use and energy needs.

Use recycled materials. Recycling is very important. There are all kinds of materials that are recycled, recovered and reused. Some examples:

Countertops made of recycled glass
Steel made of recycled metals
Reclaimed wood
Bricks, stones and paving stones

Other tips for lower impact

Learn how the sun moves and design your home with those parameters in mind.
Reduce energy use in your home by including cross-ventilation.
Reuse rainwater.
Invest in renewable energy such as solar panels and install saving solutions such as solar heaters.
Build with local materials.
Invest in home automation and automate some of your house’s functions, such as opening and closing windows, watering schedules and turning on the air conditioning. These solutions allow notable energy savings.
If you have a garden, go for it and plant your own vegetable patch.
Reduce your home’s maintenance needs by choosing durable materials and products. This will create a home that withstands the passage of time and is financially manageable in the long term.
Select and assess options for products and materials that are low-toxicity by nature.
Include indoor and outdoor connections that promote the entry of natural light and continuity with the surroundings.
Separate your waste and recycle everything you can reuse.
Lean towards a more minimalist life; there’s no need to be a prisoner of consumption.