There are lots of little things we can do in our homes to play our small part in reducing landfill waste, cleaning the air, and preserving the natural landscape.
We’ve only chosen the really small ones and/or the ones that add value to your home.
Choose three that you’re not already doing, and make them a habit this year.
Ten Tweaks for Your Home
- The perfect temperature – We all want a warm home but turning down the thermostat by just a couple of degrees can save a huge amount of emissions. Try to keep the temperature to no higher than 18°C.
- Switch your lightbulbs to energy efficient types.
- When it’s time, replace appliances to energy efficient models (look for the “energy star” label).
- Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot and use the quick wash function as much as you can (if suitable)
- Turn off lights when you leave the room.
- Don’t turn on lights at all for as long as you can — open your curtains and use natural light.
- Dry your clothes on a washing line (then tumble to finish them if you like)
- Unplug unused chargers and appliances.
- Switch to a utility company that uses renewable energy – We recommend Bulb energy
- Pay your bills online. Not only is it greener, it’s a sanity saver.
Ten Tweaks for Out & About
- Put some bags for life in the boot of your car
- Buy an inexpensive reusable water bottle, and stop buying plastic disposable bottles.
- Drive the speed limit, and combine as many errands as you can in one trip. Even better, walk or ride a bike for errands two miles or closer.
- Support your local economy and shop at your farmer’s market.
- Buy less stuff – The stuff we buy for our homes has big ramifications when it comes to resource use and emissions from shipping, so think twice before upgrading your blender or buying new cushions. If you do need to buy new kit, make sure it’s made to last. This will decrease your environmental impact and will also save you money in the long run.
- Cut out the plastic on the go – bring a canvas bag with you when you go shopping, buy your fruit and veg loose.
- Start pre-cycling. Recycling actually starts from the time you buy an item. So, when you’re in the store and have a choice between buying an item packaged in recyclable packaging or non-recyclable packaging try going with the recyclable option.
- Buy less meat and buy eco-friendly fish – controversial to some but worth a little research to find out how this helps the environment.
- Clothes shopping – Think about switching to eco-friendly clothing brands or even better, look for vintage finds.
- Use eco-friendly and green suppliers – From local meat, to sustainable coffee, there are lots of local suppliers with green values running through their businesses. Even estate agents can be green and eco-friendly, at Property Connected we use eco-friendly products and low energy lean systems to power our business. We even use carbon neutral signage!
