The following contribution is from another author.
The buzz words of the decade are sustainable, eco friendly and green. As the world becomes hotter, global warming becomes more prevalent, and climate change is scientifically proven to have a harmful effect on our environment, more and more people are welcoming the notion of being more sustainable within their own homes. Our lifestyles are full of the materialistic and convenient. However, this often doesn’t make for a very eco-friendly way of living. While we don’t want to forfeit our quality of life, we can become more environmentally aware and demonstrate our willingness to be green through our actions.
Our homes are where we spend most of our lives. These dwellings are our sanctuaries so it’s only right to start with our four walls when we try to show off our sustainable credentials. It does take a bit of effort to clue yourself up on all things eco-friendly. However, being environmentally aware can also save you a whole lot of money. Take a look at this simple guide to help your home become more environmentally friendly and energy efficient.
Heat
The major energy we use is to power up our heating and our boiler. Having the thermostat set to high twenty four hours a day is wasteful, no matter how chilly it gets in your pad throughout the winter. Instead of an old school thermostat, you should consider the newer WiFi enabled thermostats. Companies like Hive have created more intuitive thermostats that give the homeowner more control. No matter where you are in the world, as long as you have a 4G connection, you can control your thermostat. Say you are heading back from work and the weather has turned cold while you are driving down the highway, you can whip up the temperature of your thermostat and allow your heating to kick in so that it is nice and warm and toasty by the time you walk through your front door.
At the same time, if it’s ridiculously hot and you’ve not turned your heating down, you can do so from the app on your smartphone. There’s no point having your heating on, if there is no one in your humble abode to benefit from it. Instead, utilize the power of WiFi and interconnectivity to save you money on your heating bill while enhancing your green credentials.
If you are noticing a draft coming through your living room, check your window seals. If they are faulty, you might want to consider a more modern glazing option from Window World of Boston to help you retain the heat in your home so you don’t have to have the heating on as much. You might also want to check your loft. Heat rises and escapes through the roof of our homes, so make sure you have adequate insulation in your attic to prevent heat from escaping.
If you are keen to monitor your energy usage, consider going on a smart meter. These new fangled bits of kit allow you to only ever pay for the energy you use. When a smart meter is hooked up, you can see exactly how much you are spending each day on your heating and cooking and washing. If you see that your dishwasher is particularly inefficient with energy, you may want to consider reinvesting in an A++ rated appliance. By paying out a little more initially, you will find your more energy efficient appliances paying for themselves in the long run.
Recycling
The idea of recycling has been around for decades. However, it is only recently that local government has enforced recycling collections and made reusing and repurposing items a priority. If you have clothing that you no longer wear or your kids have outgrown their toys, it makes sense to donate them. This helps other people who are less fortunate than you, while also ensuring that your clothes don’t end up in landfill.
Now we can recycle cardboard, paper, certain plastics and foil. However there are types of plastic that we cannot recycle, and supermarkets and grocery stores have come under fire for using excess plastic when wrapping their fresh fruit and vegetables. To combat this, you can make a stand against single use plastic. Buy your fruit and vegetables from local grocers, or better still, grow your own. There’s nothing more fulfilling than sowing your own onions and carrots, and then harvesting these to cook in your own gastronomic delights.
Forget about buying bottled water, and instead, filter your tap water. This removes any impurities that may be in there, and you can reuse a portable water bottle when out and about.
Other Waste
Make sure that you think about your water usage in the same way as your heating. Water costs money, especially if you are on a meter. However, there are simple ways you can save on your water usage. When brushing your teeth, only ever have the tap on when cleaning your toothbrush, not for the two or three minutes when brushing and flossing. Keep your showers shorter and don’t spend twenty minutes in there getting as wrinkly as a prune. If you are a gardener, heed the advice of local agencies, and only ever use water sprinklers when allowed. If a ban is in force don’t flout it, as local water reserves will be low and there needs to be enough to go around.
When it comes to your lighting, forget about strip lighting or traditional filament bulbs. These use a lot of energy to light up, they cost you money to run and they don’t last long. Instead, opt for the newer LED spotlights or energy saving bulbs. These are cheaper to run, give off a more ambient light and last much longer. You can even source traditional looking Edison bulbs for the retro or vintage look.
Being energy efficient isn’t hard. By following this guide you will be making every effort to make your home more sustainable and show off your green credentials. Being eco-friendly has never been more easy.
