The issues of climate change, landfill and plastic in our oceans are crucial to the future of our planet. If we don’t take collective action, future generations will pay the price.
It’s easy to dismiss these issues and say “what difference can I make,” but if everyone does their little bit at home, the potential for change is massive.
Here are nine simple ways to make your home more environmentally friendly.
1. Sign up for paperless
Most financial institutions now offer paperless communications, so make sure you sign up to all of them in order to save paper — and the carbon required to transport it. Also, make sure you unsubscribe from marketing promotions which generate junk mail.
2. Switch to efficient lighting
Standard lightbulbs are notoriously inefficient. Using them keeps your electricity bills unnecessarily high and creates a significant carbon footprint. Switch to LED and compact fluorescent lights (CFL) wherever possible.
3. Create a compost heap
Compost is a very effective way to introduce essential nutrients to plants in your garden. Instead of throwing waste food straight into your bin, add it to your compost heap. This saves landfill and reduces the fuel needed for rubbish pick ups. If you’re worried about how the heap looks, but an outdoor compost bin from your local home improvement store.
4. Fix leaking taps
That leaky tap in your bathroom might not look like it’s causing much of an issue, but it could be responsible for up to 10,000 gallons of wasted water every year. Water is not only a precious resource, it is responsible for a huge amount of carbon usage. Cut your water bills and help the planet by getting all of the leaks in your home fixed.
5. Insulate your loft
Heat rises, so a lot of it in your home is being lost through the roof. You can trap a lot of this warm air with some good quality loft insulation. The more heat your home retains, the less gas you’ll consume — and cutting fossil fuel dependency is crucial in the fight against climate change.
6. Adjust the flow on taps and shower heads
Most of use more water from taps, showers and toilets than we need. But you can cut your water usage by up to a third — simply by fitting restrictors and low-flow devices. These devices allow you to turn down the flow of water without losing any of the benefits.
7. Water your garden with care
Too many people set off a set of sprinklers and simply leave it to do its job. But this can cause huge and completely unnecessary water waste. If you can, it’s always better to water a garden manually. If you need automated equipment, look for timed or smart sprinklers that switch on periodically or when certain conditions are present. Also, make sure you aren’t watering paths and garden fences inadvertently.
Tip: A great way to save water is to install a water barrel in your garden — which catches rainwater for irrigation purposes.
8. Maintain your water boiler
A water boiler that isn’t working properly can become inefficient and wasteful — using more gas than is necessary. Make sure you have a maintenance contract in place for your boiler, and replace it when you’re advised to do so.
9. Switch to energy efficient appliances
The latest energy-efficient washing machines, dryers and vacuum cleaners are built to use far less energy and water than ever before. Replacing your old appliances for these modern versions has the potential to slash your household bills and take a large chunk out of your carbon footprint.
Making your home greener delivers tangible benefits to your bank balance — but it also plays a small role in the fight against climate change and pollution.