On average, each person in the UK emits 4.85t of CO2 in 2020. These figures have been falling for the last 30 years. However, our efforts must continue.
There are many easy and affordable solutions that can help your home become more eco-friendly and, at the same time, give your home more character. For example, you can reuse many things you already have at home and give them a new purpose. Our tips on how to make your home eco-friendly will help you get started and reduce CO2 emissions in your home.
There are many benefits to moving towards a green lifestyle. However, you need to know how to do it.
Use Non-Toxic Cleaning Products And Detergents Around Your Home
You want to use eco-friendly cleaning products to clean your home. Most people have cupboards full of cleaning products and detergents from a store. However, not everyone realizes how all the chemicals can affect the water once it goes down the drain.
The use of these products makes it difficult to filter and clean the water again to meet standards. If you want your home to be kinder to the environment, you can try making cleaning products from things you have in the pantry. For example, you can use lemon juice, vinegar or bicarbonate of soda to degrease and clean surfaces in your home and kill bacteria without leaving a bad smell.
Invest In Double-Glazed Windows
Windows can be another place where heat escapes from your home. Double-glazed windows help you keep all the heat inside the building and help your radiators heat the room faster. Consider buying double-glazed windows and improving the building’s insulation at the same time. This way, you can reduce your carbon footprint and save more on your energy bills, too. Investing in double-glazed windows can be a decision that pays off in the long run, and you can use the saved funds on other features that will make your home more sustainable.
Get A Roof That Can Protect Your Home’s Heat From Escaping
Suppose you invest in a quality roof that will protect your home. Companies like ClearAmber Shop can provide you with environmentally friendly plastic roof sheets, polycarbonate sheets or corrugated roofing sheets. By installing it, you will move your home closer to a sustainable lifestyle and save money on your energy bills at the same time. The roof will protect you from bad weather and ensure that no cold air flows through. This way, you can reduce your electricity or gas consumption and your CO2 emissions at the same time. The materials of the roofing sheets will make your family safe and warm while it is an eco-friendly solution.
Choose the Right Shower Head to Save Water
Like electricity and gas, water is also becoming more expensive. If you want to reduce your water bill, you need to pay attention to how much water you use and regulate it. For example, when you take a shower, you use less water than you would use in a bathtub. But it doesn’t make much of a difference if you spend 30 minutes under running water. With this in mind, you should consider purchasing a low-flow shower head. This way, you use less water while maintaining the same amount of water pressure. In the end, you will use less water, reduce your bills and be more sustainable.
Harvest Rainwater And Give It A New Purpose
Most people use rainwater for watering their plants and gardens. But some also use the water for cleaning, bathing or drinking. If you harvest rainwater and then use it for another purpose in your home or garden, you can cut your primary water use by a significant amount. You can start by getting a cheap water butt where you can collect water on rainy days and put it there. However, you must be careful with maintenance so that the water is of the required quality for your intended use. Whether you want to water your garden or need a lot of water to clean your car, rainwater can save your financial resources and reduce costs.
Turn Your Food Waste Into Compost
Turning any food waste and scraps from your cooking into compost can be very easy. All you need to do is buy a compost bin from a DIY store. These bins are inexpensive, and they are very easy to maintain. Then, all you have to do is throw the trash or scraps in the trash and leave it. After some time, it will become compost that you can use in your garden. Compost will improve the quality of the soil and bring your plants more nutrients than before. At the same time, it can protect them from drought and maintain normal acidity values.
Let Recycled And Vintage Furniture Bring More Character To Your Home
You don’t have to buy the furniture you love so much in the latest catalog. Today’s market is full of many different options that are more eco-friendly than the latest furniture from brand designers. Today you can buy furniture made of recycled wood or other materials, which are more sustainable than other options. However, even if the furniture is made of recycled materials, you are getting a new piece of furniture. You can also browse antique stores and see if you can find any treasures that will make your home feel extra special and give it more personality.
Maintain Your Appliances regularly
Maintaining your appliances carefully and regularly will reduce your energy use and reduce your carbon footprint. For example, it is important that you clean the coils of your refrigerator from time to time. This will keep your food cold, and the refrigerator will use less energy. When the coils are dusty and dirty, the fridge generates more heat and, as a result, uses more electricity than when it is clean. To remove any dust and lint, you can use a brush that easily removes dirt. Such simple maintenance will help you reduce your energy bills and, as a result, be more environmentally friendly.
Avoid the Dryer If Possible
If possible, you should avoid using a dryer. Especially in the warmer months, it’s better to line your clothes. Hanging out in the sun and fresh air makes the laundry smell good. On top of that, your clothes will last longer if you hang them on the line than if you put them in the dryer. However, if you use the dryer regularly, remember to clean the filter. If your dryer has a dirty filter, it uses more energy than it should and increases your bills even more.
Decorate Your Home With Thicker Curtains
The interior will look more luxurious and timeless if you decorate your home with thicker curtains. However, at the same time, they help you lower your carbon footprint. Especially in the warmer months, this will help you keep a room cooler and protect it from the strong sun. This way, you don’t have to turn on your fan or air conditioner and reduce your energy costs. On the other hand, thicker curtains help conserve heat in the room and speed up the radiators to make the room warmer.