Worried about your carbon footprint? Battling not to put things in the bin but recycle as much as possible? Trying not to turn up the heating? We look at ten ways that the whole family can get involved in running a more eco-friendly household.
#1 Water smart
When we think of sustainability, our thoughts turn automatically to turning the heat down and turning off lights. But an eco-friendly household is a water-smart one and that means only using what you need.
From 4-minute showers to stacking the dishwasher to its capacity, loading the washing machine to its capacity and installing a water meter, using only what you need is a smart move.
#2 Installing a smart meter
Energy companies are offering free smart meters to their customers that allow them to monitor not only their consumption of energy but how much it is costing them. Why does this help?
A smart home is one that is responsive and so a smart meter or even a smart thermostat run alongside an efficient wet underfloor heating kit helps get the most of kilowatt of energy we use.
#3 Energy efficient light bulbs
From the curly light bulbs to LED lights, opting for energy efficient light bulbs can bring an extra dimension to lighting in your home. As well as controlling via your voice on Google Home or Alexa, you can also install lights that change colour and can be dimmed too.
#4 Consider solar panels
Solar panels have come on leaps and bounds since their early days. From panels to tiles, there are also solar panels specifically developed for the northern hemisphere. That means, catching as much of the sun’s energy even when the sun is hidden by grey clouds.
There are still some deals to be had in which you receive money back via a tariff but always check the small print for the detail as not all deals are as lucrative as the marketing strapline.
#5 Get expert help
There are various sustainability experts who can help you make the most of your home, as well as show your kids how to get involved. As well as private consultants, many local authorities are taking their responsibility seriously. They offer their eco-friendly expert staff to households within their county lines to help with everything from recycling more to making your home more energy efficient.
#6 Natural cleaning products
EVERYTHING we dispose of has an impact on the environment. That includes the soap suds you wash down your kitchen sink and the suds from your shampoo.
For a more eco-friendly approach, choose natural cleaning products from family shampoo bars (fewer chemicals and less packaging) to eco-friendly cleaning products in the kitchen.
Or you could try making your own cleaning products from natural ingredients but with food poverty, a real and very concerning issue in the UK, buying food as cleaning ingredients may not be top of your agenda.
Small steps taken consistently are what experts say have the biggest impact on the environment. And with eco-friendly products costing the same as other chemical-filled products, you can take steps to be a more eco-friendly household.
#7 Insulate and ventilate
Keep your house warmer for longer and healthier with ventilation and reduce your heating bill at the same time.
It may be something you have heard before but we can’t underestimate the importance of insulating your home to the latest standards. The beauty of underfloor heating is that you get to understand the importance of insulation better than ever before.
#8 Compost food waste
From building your own compost bin to buying a plastic compost bin from your local council, composting your food waste is a great idea for creating your own compost for the garden.
Of course, you want to be reducing food waste by only buying the food that you know you will eat. You will still have some food waste. But when broken down by heat and insects such as worms, it makes rich fertiliser for your garden.
#9 Buy recycled items
It is amazing what brands are producing now from recycling materials. Such as paper-based products from kitchen towels to toilet rolls and other common household products.
#10 Cook well
Sometimes, we don’t realise just how wasteful small actions can be. From leaving the tap running whilst we wipe the kitchen surfaces to leaving lids off pans, cooking intelligently means we can make small but worthwhile savings on energy and water in the kitchen.
What changes have you made in your household to be more eco-friendly?