In recent years, several important changes have been taking place in terms of how people live their lives, day to day. In part, this is happening due to recognition of the reality of climate change and the fragility of the environment, which has increasingly come into sharp focus. Across the world, nations are rethinking how they provide energy, moving away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner solutions. At a national level, you probably already recycle a large amount of what used to be thrown away – paper and cardboard, plastic bottles, tin cans, and glass bottles and jars.
In some areas, food is also recycled, and local and regional centres are collecting items such as shoes and clothing, batteries and obsolete electrical goods. All of this is good news for the environment. However, there is more that can be done at domestic level to make your home more environmentally friendly. Here are some examples of things you could aim to do to improve the impact on the environment made by your house and how you live.
Mighty oaks from little acorns grow
Deciding to make your home more eco-friendly does not have to mean sacrificing living in comfort or in agreeable surroundings – to begin with there are some simple things that are relatively easy to do
- When it comes to energy saving, for instance, if you have not already switched to low-energy light bulbs, now is the time to do it. They last much, much longer than traditional ones and will save electricity.
- Remember to turn off lights and appliances when you are not using them – leaving things such as the TV on standby still consumes power and is costing you more than switching it off altogether.
- Draught-proof your home by sealing cracks and hanging thick curtains. This reduces the burden on your heating system and the amount of energy it consumes, as rooms will stay warmer for longer.
- Don’t leave your fridge door open for long. The fridge is a big energy consumer in the home and cool air leaves when it is opened. By reducing the time that cool air has to escape, you reduce the power consumed by the fridge to bring the temperature down again.
Adjust your heating
Switching down the thermostat on your central heating is better for the environment and will save you money. There is no need to go overboard and reduce internal temperatures drastically – just one degree is enough, and you may not even need to wear an extra layer of clothing.
In addition, see how well your heating system is performing. Heaters in need of repair or replacement have reduced energy efficiency, this article by Albert Culver explains the signs to watch out for in detail. A full replacement may be costly, but an old and inefficient heater can lose up to 40% in energy use, compared to when it was first installed.
So, if you think that it may be time to upgrade your heating and air conditioning unit, or it is in need of urgent repairs, there is no time like the present to get in touch with companies like Trust Heating and Air to come and diagnose and fix any problems for you. By doing so, not only will you have a unit that functions to the highest quality, but you will also be able to save a significant amount of money in terms of your bills too.
Important checks to make
- Make sure your home has sufficient insulation, particularly in the loft and the walls, as heat loss is avoidable and could help you make big savings on your heating bills.
- Remember that doorways and windows are vulnerable areas when it comes to heat loss. A good heavy door curtain and draught excluder on the interior of your front door will keep your hallway snug and warm, while window shutters will reduce heat loss through glazed areas.
Finally, if you are saving money for your retirement, or are recently retired, you may wish to consider introducing solar power to your home, which has the potential to meet some of your energy needs and, in some cases, to earn money. You can get all or most of your electrical appliances powered by solar energy, be it the refrigerator, air conditioning, or Solar Hot Water Oahu, for instance, if that is where you live, in order to move a step closer to a clean, green and affordable living.
Together with adequate insulation, including loft, walls, windows, and doors, the introduction of solar power could make your home a lot more eco-friendly and possibly add value when the time comes to sell up.
