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No matter if you are moving, or improving, our newsletter is packed with the best tips, tricks and ideas to help you dwell well.
Sustainability is something that more and more of us are trying to accommodate in our everyday lives, and our homes are the ideal place to start. Many people don’t realise the impact that their homes have on the environment, whether it’s from the excess use of energy to the materials used around the property. With these sustainable upgrades, you’ll not only lessen your impact on the planet but you might even save yourself some money in the process.
You might be surprised to learn that your windows can be a huge source of heat loss in your property if you don’t take care of them. Over the years, they can become less insulating, so they’re a good place to start in terms of upgrading your home to make it more environmentally friendly.
The first step is to let plenty of light in, which will reduce the need for switching lights on during the day and will also help your home absorb more ambient heat – the easiest way to do this is to clean your windows and remove screens from any south-facing windows that will receive more sunshine. Caulking the outside of the windows will also insulate them to keep the cold out. Finally, look to add in heavier curtains or insulating blinds that will keep your home naturally warmer during the winter.
If you have a garage attached to your property, maintenance plays a key role in how long-lasting it will be. But if you’re ready to upgrade, there are sustainable switches you can make to minimise the impact your garage has on the environment while still providing kerb appeal to your home.
Consider the materials you choose. Wood, for example, can be a great material in terms of recyclability at the end of its life, but consider the time you’ll need to invest in maintaining it. Fibreglass can also be an effective choice, as a long-lasting material that’s energy efficient. Sustainability is all about reducing your waste and considering how things will be disposed of when you’re done with them. By thinking about your garage door material, its durability and the energy efficiency it provides, you can invest in a garage door that will really last.
All of us have numerous lights in our homes, but replacing standard light bulbs with an LED alternative has the potential to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 40kg a year. According to the UK’s Energy Saving Trust, this is the equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from your car over a 140 mile distance. But it’s also a swap that will last – LEDs last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and they’ll save you money on your energy bills in the long term too.
The average person uses 143 litres of water in England and Wales, and even more in Scotland and Northern Ireland. So, for most of us, finding ways to reduce our water usage will have a positive effect on our sustainability efforts.
When it comes to your home, one way to assist this effort is to switch to a low-flow showerhead which reduces the amount of water you use when showering and can have a great impact on your home’s water consumption rate.
Smart devices are a fantastic upgrade if you want to take control of your energy usage. They enable you to control the likes of lights and blinds remotely. Smart thermostats, in particular, are fantastic for improving the energy efficiency of your home. You can set schedules so the system automatically switches to a higher or lower temperature during these times, so you’re not wasting energy unnecessarily, and they can save you money too.
If you go out to work or away for the weekend and forget to turn off your heating, you can do so from any location, ensuring your home is only heated and cooled when it needs to be. Smart thermostats will show you your energy consumption data in real-time and can adjust to conditions such as higher humidity, so you’re always set to the level your home needs to be. In some cases, these devices can learn from your behaviour and adjust automatically for added convenience.
We all have a responsibility to do our bit for the planet, but it can actually make our homes more comfortable and affordable for us and our families as well. From choosing materials carefully and considering the use of utilities to making easy swaps like changing light bulbs that can reduce our overall energy consumption, these sustainable upgrades will make a huge difference to your carbon footprint.
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