Make Your Home Greener

Being environmentally friendly at home isn’t just about helping the planet and its limited resources, but it can save you a lot of money in the process, too. So, if you want to make your home that bit greener, then there are lots of measures you can take, which don’t necessarily have to cost the earth.

Make simple changes

Have a look at all the things you do on a day-to-day basis and see where improvements can be made to help the environment. Instead of throwing veggie peelings in the bin, why not consider getting a compost bin? Re-use plastic bags and make a habit of taking some with you next time you go shopping. Sort your rubbish out into items that can be recycled.

Turn electrical appliances off when not in use and don’t leave lights on unnecessarily. Even just swapping to energy efficient light bulbs can make a significant saving over time.

Control the heat

Whilst a toasty, warm house is lovely and inviting, turning the thermostat down by one degree can make a small difference to your energy output. If your sluggish boiler has seen better days, then it might be time to consider upgrading. Whilst the initial outlay of a new boiler can be costly, it’s worth it in the long run. Consider any other factors which might be causing heat loss in your house. Have you got cavity wall insulation? What about your windows? Double glazing can make a real difference to heat retention, so if money allows, then upgrade any dated windows that might be letting you down.

Use less water

Don’t just think that because it’s always raining outside, that water isn’t a valuable resource. Going green means using less water, both inside and outside your house. Get a water butt to save rain water, instead of using sprinklers to water your plants. Don’t leave the tap running when you brush your teeth, and opt for showers rather than baths. Installing a low-flush toilet system can also give you brownie points when it comes to helping the environment.

Green appliances

Keep a check on the energy efficiency of your kitchen appliances, as these can have a real impact on your bills. Old fridge freezers, in particular, can really eat into your energy usage. Always check the energy star rating when buying new appliances, and go for those that are the most efficient.

Green cleaning

With so many cleaning products on the market, claiming to make your home sparkle, whilst zapping every single bug known to humankind, it begs the question if our homes are just ‘too’ clean? Many of these products contain harmful chemicals that are potentially toxic. Always check the labels when you buy cleaning products, or why not consider using the old-fashioned cleaning methods, involving lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda? And on the subject of dodgy chemicals, avoid using pesticides and other nasty toxins in the garden. You can keep your garden looking green and pest free by adopting natural and biological methods, which can be just as effective.

So, whether it’s a case of double glazing your windows, changing your routines and shopping habits or controlling the temperature in your home, there are heaps of ways to make your home as green as possible.

Photo by derekGavey.

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