Brilliant actions to make your home eco-friendlier in 2022 tips, Sustainable house design advice, Green property style

Actions to Make Your Home Eco-Friendlier Guide

28 July 2022

If there is one thing Edinburgh homeowners are paying more attention to in 2022, it’s the environment. Not a day goes by without a newspaper article outlining the serious consequences climate change is having on the planet. When it comes to helping out and playing your part, the way you live can have an enormous impact on the globe, whether it’s positively or contributing to climate change.

Thankfully, there are simple measures you can put in place that can really make a difference to the environment, promote an eco-friendlier home environment, and encourage you to live a more sustainable way of life. To achieve just that, here are some actions to take today.

Brilliant Actions to Make Your Home Eco-Friendlier In 2022 and 2023

Install a Smart Meter

If there is one thing that’s been dominating the headlines in recent months, it’s the cost of living. With energy prices surging, more and more homeowners need to pay extra attention to how much energy they’re using. If you want to do your bit for the environment and potentially save money, now is the time to install a smart meter in your home. This device can monitor your energy consumption, which should help you come up with ways to lower your monthly usage.

There are a number of benefits attached to smart meters. They will provide you with accurate bills and you will no longer need to take meter readings. Look into the pros and cons of smart meters before making your mind up.

Purchase Energy Efficient Lightbulbs

While energy efficient lightbulbs have been in the public domain for many years, it’s only in the last few years have Edinburgh homeowners started to learn more about their benefits and effectiveness. We all need lights to illuminate our homes, so rather than picking the standard products on the market, it’s time to shift your attention to eco-friendlier alternatives.

One of the great things about energy efficient lightbulbs is they last for longer. This means you won’t have to keep putting your hand in your pocket to shell out on more. What’s more, energy efficient lightbulbs help lower electricity bills and carbon dioxide emissions. If there is one change to make today, it’s to switch to energy efficient lightbulbs.

Install Solar Panels

When you walk around your neighbourhood, you may spot solar panels on some homeowners’ roofs. There’s a good reason for them being there. Solar panels are great for the environment, offset energy costs, and can contribute toward energy independence. The Federation of Master Builders has a guide on the best solar panels. You can learn more here about what makes solar panels so popular and how they can help you lead a more eco-friendly way of life.

The main drawback of solar panels that must be noted is the price. If you’re on a shoestring budget, they may not be right for your home. However, for those that want to splurge, try and see solar panels as an investment. Once you have them installed, you’ll soon reap the long-term benefits, which can help in lowering your energy consumption and even creating your own.

Insulate Your Home Properly

A well-insulated property holds in heat properly. This means you won’t have to use as much energy to keep reheating your living space. For homeowners looking to save money, it’s wise to look into this option. If you find a draught is coming into your property, the first thing you may do is switch the heating on. Understandably, this isn’t the best solution long-term, especially when it comes to your finances and energy usage.

If you’ve decided it’s time to insulate, the best place to begin is the walls of your home and your roof. You should look at your windows too. Now may be the time to double-glaze them. This will keep the heat in and mean there is less condensation.

Think Green When Cleaning

When it comes to keeping your house spick and span, have a look at the types of products you use to do just that. You may be surprised to learn about all the harmful chemicals that are in your cleaning products. While they will do the job of keeping your home clean and tidy, the impact they can have on the environment is anything but.

The good news is there are simple switches you can make for your cleaning products. Things like lemon juice, bicarbonate of soda, and vinegar can be used as alternatives to bleach and detergent to eliminate bacteria and keep your home odour and grease-free. You’ll find they’re cheaper to buy and use too which can only be a good thing for your wallet.

Compost Your Food Waste

When there’s leftover food, many of us don’t think twice about throwing the remains in the bin. Rather than doing this, have a think about composting your food waste. There are a variety of benefits to doing so. Firstly, composting reduces waste. This makes us less dependent on landfills. Secondly, composting strengthens soil and promotes healthy plant growth.

Other benefits of composting food include reducing the need for pesticides. If you like the idea of composting, simply place a layer of soil into the bottom of a container. Top with some shredded newspaper, before adding kitchen scraps. The dry material helps in balancing the dry and wet in your compost, as well as prevents it from smelling. Finally, seal the container tightly with a lid and leave it to do its thing.

Buy Recycled Furniture

If you’re about to undertake a home improvement project, you may want to start looking at new furniture for your home. Whether you’re giving your living room a makeover or bringing some life into the bedroom, rather than buying brand new, consider purchasing recycled furniture. You’ll find there are lots of great pieces that will fit in beautifully within your home and come attached with major benefits.

Buying used furniture is eco-friendly, lower in cost, and can be adjusted to your needs. More and more furniture are coming to the market made from recycled wood. You will still be getting a brand-new product. However, it’s been created thoughtfully from materials that may otherwise have gone straight off to the landfill.

Save Water

Think about how much water you use daily. Whether you’re doing the dishes, going for a shower, or having a soak in the bath, it can all soon add up. If you want to save on water, there are easy measures you can put in place today for the entire household. This includes turning off taps, showering less, and saving up your dirty clothes, rather than doing multiple wash loads.

Other ways to reduce your water footprint include using water-saving toilets, installing a water-saving shower head, and fixing household leaks. Little actions like these can yield positive results for the environment.

While you may believe your actions may not have a big impact, if we all come together and do the same, this can go a long way towards being more eco-conscious and protecting the planet we call home. Whether you splurge on solar panels or do something as simple as installing a smart meter to track your energy usage, homeowners all over Edinburgh can take part in becoming more environmentally friendly.

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Property Design

Rowanbank Gardens, Corstorphine

Rowanbank Gardens Edinburgh Housing

West Town Vision

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West Town Edinburgh Property Vision

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