How to make your home eco-friendly

Are you worried about how your home might be affecting the environment? You can implement several easy changes to enhance your home's eco-friendliness. 

 

Energy Efficient Lighting

Energy-efficient light bulbs are a game-changer. They can last up to 12 times longer than traditional ones, providing the same quality of light but with significantly less energy consumption. Unlike conventional bulbs, which waste around 80% of their energy as heat, LED bulbs operate at an impressive 80-90% energy efficiency. This switch alone, as per the Energy Saving Trust, can cut down carbon emissions by up to 40 kilograms per year, making a substantial difference to our environment. 

 

Biodegradable Household Products

Although you can't dictate if the products you discard of are reused or recycled, you can choose items crafted from non-synthetic and biodegradable materials, thereby mitigating the consequences of waste. 

Biodegradable products decompose through interaction with bacteria and fungi. This ensures that they pose no harm when they interact with the environment, as they naturally break down. 

Examples of such products include: 

Recycled toilet paper 

Natural deodorant 

Washcloths made from hemp or agave fibres 

 

Filling Gaps Between Your Floorboards 

It's common for older floorboards to develop gaps as the wood naturally expands and contracts in response to changes in humidity levels. These gaps often lead to unnecessary draughts, resulting in wasted heating energy within your home. 

To address this issue, you can fill these gaps to prevent draughts using materials such as dust, resin, or acrylic fillers, or opt for wood filler strips available at most DIY stores. 

 

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats offer an immediate home efficiency solution that's easy to integrate. Utilising advanced technology, smart thermostats adapt to your home's heating patterns and adjust based on outside temperatures. They incorporate presence-sensing technology, automatically turning off your system when you're away and activating it just before your return. 

Their use reduces energy demands but also translates into significant cost savings on your energy bills. Data from users of Google's Nest thermostat revealed that households in the UK achieved energy savings of 16.5% compared to those without smart controls. 

 

Grow Your Food

Organically grown food offers numerous environmental benefits. By avoiding the use of herbicides or pesticides, it helps mitigate air and water pollution. Additionally, home-grown food minimises transportation emissions and the use of packaging, as it doesn't need to be shipped from the source to the shop. And since you put in the hard work to grow the food, you will use it wisely, reducing your food waste. 

These are just a few of the many simple changes you can make at home to help the environment but do your research and choose solutions that suit your home and lifestyle.