The first steps towards a green home can be tricky, but with your trusty phone by your side, it’s as simple as liking a photo. Fill up your phone with these effective apps that do any and everything. From checking your waterprint to controlling your home with one click, check out the best apps you can use for your home today.
1800Recycling
Users: 50,000+
Rating: 4/5
iPhone or Android: Both
Price: Free
1800Recyling.com is a great app for someone new to green culture, seasoned vets, or someone who just loves to recycle. The app shows you the closest drop-offs by your home. Covering over 140,000 locations in the U.S, there are no excuses for why you still aren’t recycling. You can also share locations with your friends via Facebook, Twitter and more. What’s better than that?
Eco-Bulbz
Users: 50
Rating: 4/5
iPhone or Android: Both
Price: 1.99
We all know that LED and CFL lights are better for your home and your pockets, but Eco-Bulbz puts it into perspective for you. The app works as a calculator and shows you how much you’ll save when you replace your bulbs and how much power they’ll use throughout the year. On top of that, you can also label the rooms in your home and Eco-Bulbz will show you some of the differences between LED bulbs and normal ones. Alas, another precious gift from Ireland.
Control4MyHome
Users: 100,000+
Rating: 3/5
iPhone or Android: Both
Price: Free
This app is literally the future. With Control4MyHome, users are able to control the power in their home from one device. The app can power on/off your thermostat, lights, music system, and more. You can also control your A/C system and knock dollars off that power bill. The app is free, but for anywhere access, a basic subscription is required.
ChromeCast
Users: 5 Million
Rating: 3/5
iPhone or Android: Both
Price: Free
If your weekends consist of ice cream and Netflix, then this app is for you. Connect the ChromeCast usb to your laptop and WiFi so you enjoy Netflix and YouTube from your television. The usb costs $35 bucks, but compared to most cable plans, you’ll save more energy and money. Control the ChromeCast from your mobile device, no remotes needed!
Eco & Green Dictionary
Users: 50,000 +
Rating: 4.5/5
iPhone or Android: Android
Price: Free
If you’re new to the Green world, take some time out of your day to check out the Eco & Green Dictionary. Stacked with hundreds of terms, the app is something that every green student needs. You can also take fun quizzes and browse related sites. Share it with your family so you can make game night a little more challenging.
Seafood Watch
Users: 500,000+
Rating: 4/5
iPhone or Android: Both
Price: Free
Vegetarians love this little gem. If you’re in the need to some great seafood for dinner tonight, check out Seafood Watch. This app helps you find safest and best seafood from local stores and restaurants. The app also gives you info on where your dinner was fished or farmed, and the types of fish to avoid. It may not pick up some local spots, but overall it’s a very informative app.
Green Shine
Users: N/A
Rating: 5
iPhone or Android: iPhone
Price: $2.99
It can get tricky finding green home products, but with Green Shine you have nothing to worry about. This app allows you to do any household chore with green friend products and suggestions on how to clean in a very green way. You can also track all your chores and watch tutorials on how to clean with alternatives like vinegar and safe oils. Unfortunately this is just for iPhone users, so sneak some tips from your friends droid users.
iGrowIt
Users: N/A
Rating: 5
iPhone or Android: iPhone
Price: 0.99
Have a little fun in your garden with iGrowIt, that basically tells you what you grow right outside of your door. It gives you all the basic information on which months are best to plant your favorite veggies, herbs and great recipes for them. When it comes to gardening it takes a lot of time and patience, but at least iGrowIt is helping you out step by step.
EcoDice
Users:N/A
Rating: 5
iPhone or Android: iPhone
Price: 0.99
We really wish this was on the Droid (or maybe just me.) If you wake up and decide to go green, but not sure how, EcoDice is for you. By throwing the digital-die, you can try a new eco-friendly gesture everyday. It also comes with two other dice: Kindness Die and Wellness Die that show you how to be friendly to others and yourself. A super positive app indeed.
PaperKarma
Users: 50,000+
Rating: 4.5/5
iPhone or Android: Both
Price: Free
One of the steps in having a green home has to be getting rid of all that junk mail. How do get your info anyway? With PaperKarma, you don’t have to worry about getting any more fake car keys or pointless flyers. Just take a photo with the app and boom-PaperKarma removes you from their naggy lists. One small step for junk mail becomes a giant leap for green culture!
Green Kitchen
Users: N/A
Rating: 4/5
iPhone or Android: iPhone
Price: $4.99
If you think your green meals are getting more bland by the day, check out Green Kitchen. The award winning app gives you countless ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between. You can also plan your shopping list with the app, and has plenty of recipes for vegans, omnivores, gluten free, and sugar free peeps. We’re hungry already.
GreenPower Battery Saver
Users: 5 Million
Rating: 4/5
iPhone or Android: Android
Price: Free
With 5 million users worldwide, GreenPower Battery Saver won’t have your phone on the charger all day. The app controls your device and regularly maintains a high performance according to how and when you use the most data and wifi. It has many other features including a special function that plays to your usage during night and day. Instead of constantly adjusting your brightness and apps, let this FREE app do it for you.
Light Bulb Finder
Users: 50,000+
Rating: 4/5
iPhone or Android: Both
Price: Free
Like Eco-Bulbz this app is green friendly for your home. Light Bulb Finder goes a step further and well, you know find the best bulb for your home. The app also allows you to purchase the bulbs from the comfort of your smartphone. Plus, who can go wrong with a brand that squeezed in this girls skateboarding skills? Touche Light Bulb Finder.
Waterprint
Users: N/A
Rating: 4/5
iPhone or Android: iPhone
Price: Free
Tracking your carbon footprint is important, but what about your waterprint? With this free Waterprint app, you’re aware of how much water you use in your home. Instead of constantly guessing how much water you use when you wash dishes or take a shower, Waterprint does it for you plus more. It also lets you know how much water you take in when you eat your favorite foods. What’s more green than that?
PHOTO CREDIT: Screengrab
