If you are becoming more concerned about the environment and have a budget to make some changes to your home, you may be wondering which improvements to make. You may wonder what type of eco-friendly furnishings are out there, whether you should consider energy-efficient appliances, and how you can get solar panels or insulation installed.
If you are looking for some eco-friendly ideas to make changes to your home you have come to the right place. Let's have a look at eco-friendly home improvements you can make that are kind to the environment, and often to your pocket too. This is an advertorial.
1. Upcycle if you can
2. Buy new wisely
If you are buying new, consider environmentally friendly options. Natural fibres such as sisal and seagrass are better for the environment than man-made materials such as polyester and nylon. Also opting for a carpet remnant ensures that a quality piece of natural carpet isn't sent to landfill. Try Designer Carpet for a wide range of sisal remnants.
Sustainable furniture from reclaimed, recycled or sustainably grown wood is another wise option. There are lots of eco-friendly ideas out there, so do some research.
3. Consider solar energy
Solar energy is a completely renewable energy source so it can be beneficial to have solar panels fitted to your home. It can provide electricity to your home as well as allowing you to use the energy generated to charge an electric car. It has little pollution to the environment, allowing you to reduce your carbon footprint. It can save you money too and if you produce more than you consume you can even sell it back to an energy company. It does cost to install solar panels through but there could be grants available in your area.
4. Insulation is key
There is a huge amount of energy wasted every year in people's homes, so think about improving or installing insulation. Eco-friendly insulation options include cellulose insulation, ecological wood wool insulation, and environmentally cork insulation. Compare roof insulation and cavity wall insulation NI costs and research how much energy would be saved every year, and we all know energy saved in money saved too.
5. Repair major appliances
There is a mountain of electrical waste in the world, and the UN in 2019 estimated that this is over 50 million tonnes. Whilst a fraction of this is recycled the vast majority is not. So if your appliance breaks down, consider having it repaired first. Generally, this will be cheaper than a new appliance, especially white goods like a fridge freezer, dishwasher or washing machine and you won't have the fuss of having the old appliance taken away and disposed of safely as well as adding to landfill. Many old appliances like this leak toxic gases too when they go into a landfill.
6. Buy energy efficient
3. Consider solar energy
Solar energy is a completely renewable energy source so it can be beneficial to have solar panels fitted to your home. It can provide electricity to your home as well as allowing you to use the energy generated to charge an electric car. It has little pollution to the environment, allowing you to reduce your carbon footprint. It can save you money too and if you produce more than you consume you can even sell it back to an energy company. It does cost to install solar panels through but there could be grants available in your area.
4. Insulation is key
There is a huge amount of energy wasted every year in people's homes, so think about improving or installing insulation. Eco-friendly insulation options include cellulose insulation, ecological wood wool insulation, and environmentally cork insulation. Compare roof insulation and cavity wall insulation NI costs and research how much energy would be saved every year, and we all know energy saved in money saved too.
5. Repair major appliances
There is a mountain of electrical waste in the world, and the UN in 2019 estimated that this is over 50 million tonnes. Whilst a fraction of this is recycled the vast majority is not. So if your appliance breaks down, consider having it repaired first. Generally, this will be cheaper than a new appliance, especially white goods like a fridge freezer, dishwasher or washing machine and you won't have the fuss of having the old appliance taken away and disposed of safely as well as adding to landfill. Many old appliances like this leak toxic gases too when they go into a landfill.
6. Buy energy efficient
If you have to buy new appliances look at the energy-efficient rating. The energy-efficient rating from A to A+++ will help you choose new appliances according to how efficient they are and thus can save you money and saves wasted energy too. There are also some things you can do when running white goods like only running a tumble dryer on an eco-friendly mode or with a full load, defrosting a freezer regularly and not overfilling it whilst not running it.
7. Make the small changes
Lastly, think of the small changes that can really make a difference long term. Close your curtains when the sun goes down to keep the heat in, turn off lights when you leave a room, close internal doors to keep heat in a room, only boil the water you need and let clothes dry naturally. All these little things can save money and energy and can make a difference long term.
So here are 7 eco-friendly home improvements that will make a difference. Do you do any of these? Do you have any other suggestions on ways to make your home more eco-friendly?
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7. Make the small changes
Lastly, think of the small changes that can really make a difference long term. Close your curtains when the sun goes down to keep the heat in, turn off lights when you leave a room, close internal doors to keep heat in a room, only boil the water you need and let clothes dry naturally. All these little things can save money and energy and can make a difference long term.
So here are 7 eco-friendly home improvements that will make a difference. Do you do any of these? Do you have any other suggestions on ways to make your home more eco-friendly?
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I need to see if I can get a grant for solar energy. Some great ideas here
ReplyDeleteI love the concept of upcycling and if I owned my home, I'd definitely look into solar energy panels for my roof.
ReplyDeleteWe changed all of our lights to LED, but we are seriously considering getting solar panels for the house x
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how all the cnngaes really do strat to add up and make a difference. I wish we had got solar panels years ago when there was loads of incentives. Mich x
ReplyDeleteSome brilliant ideas for home improvements here. I definitely agree with upcycling and repairing major appliances!
ReplyDelete