We’re all looking to make our homes more sustainable, especially with the threat of climate change looming ever larger and energy prices doing pretty much the same.
The one thing that deters or delays many of us, however, is the cost of solar panels, heat pumps, extra glazing and so on. This means you can be stuck forever at the planning stage, never realising your dreams of an eco-friendlier house.
Sometimes, though, you have to work with what you’ve got and you can make a difference by simply changing a few habits. Some of these changes will actually save you money rather than cost you.
Make sure your boiler’s well-maintained
In the UK, more than half of a household’s energy costs are heating-related. You don’t have to endure the cold to save the planet, though; just get your boiler serviced once a year or so to ensure it’s working efficiently.
You can also turn down the thermostat by one or two degrees without even noticing (try it, it’s true), which can cut your annual fuel consumption by up to 10%.
Bring the outdoors in
Most of us have a pot-plant or two in our homes, but by upping the number of living plants in your house you’ll be improving your indoor air quality.
Many plants are great at absorbing and neutralising various pollutants, which is a brilliant alternative to purifiers. You can also build a living wall of herbs if you’re green-fingered enough, which will save you money on your groceries.
Reduce your heat loss
As well as turning down your boiler and getting it serviced regularly, you should prevent heat from escaping your building by installing insulation in the walls, floors and roof.
This will involve some initial outlay, but you may be eligible for a grant or subsidy from your local government, so find out. It’s worth the investment and you may even be able to turn down your thermostat another notch.
Choose second-hand décor and furniture
Instead of heading straight to a well-known Scandinavian furniture store, or even a not-so-well-known independent store, for your decorations and furniture, how about a trawl through your local charity shops?
You’ll be doing your bit to reduce plastic pollution, both in terms of the item itself (if it has any plastic in) and in terms of packaging.
What’s even better is that you could find an amazing vintage piece for a knockdown price and you’ll be helping a good cause.
