EditorsWhile grand political projects to improve the environment dominate the headlines, the most significant difference any of us can make in helping the environment is to make our homes more sustainable. That’s where we use the most resources, and our actions can have a more significant effect. In this post, we look at some of the sustainable home upgrades you can make today and how they can help you cut down on your energy and resource usage.
Get Local House Repairs
It might seem obvious to choose local traders to perform repairs on your property, but you’d be surprised how many people hire companies from out-of-county. Often the economics makes sense, but the environmental consequences don’t.
Suppose you’re unsure whether a particular company operates in your area or not, check the contact details on their website. Look for evidence that they work in the local area. If they don’t, then a call-out could mean a long van journey to your location. And you could wind up paying for it.
In some cases, you may be able to find the best of both world’s with this, and a great example of this can be found in Mr. Roof. As a relatively large contractor, this company is able to offer lower rates than many other options, while having bases in a range of locations to ensure that van trips are kept to a minimum. Getting a new roof can be an excellent way to reduce your environmental impact, with modern technology providing much better results than traditional roofs.
The kitchen is one of the most energy-intensive parts of the home. Photo via Pixabay
Improve Your Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most energy-intensive parts of the home. However, many people are now working with architects to improve it, reducing energy use and improving the space. Today you no longer have to put up with cloistered kitchens that offer little to no space. Extensions and renovations allow you to physically expand the area available for preparing meals while also cutting down on energy usage. Special double-glazed windows, skylights, and glass can all help to cut down on heat loss and utilize incoming solar radiation to keep the interior warm.
A New Boiler
Boilers are improving all the time, becoming more efficient, and getting better at converting gas into heat energy for your home. And because the technology is continually moving forward, it makes sense to upgrade your hot water system whenever the economics makes sense to do so.
If your boiler is more than ten years old, then it probably relies on less efficient technologies that use more gas. Replacing your boiler isn’t the cheapest option in the world, but it can lead to marked improvements in how much energy you use. And that can lead to massive savings.
Ditch Your Blinds
While blinds might look stylish in your home, they’re not as good as thick curtains for helping to retain heat in your rooms, especially in the winter.
Around 60 percent of all the energy your home uses goes into heating. When you install thicker blinds, you’re essentially giving your house a warm, woolly jacket to keep it warm.
Get An Energy-Saving Kettle
It takes a lot of energy to boil water – much more than the average person realizes. For that reason, many brands are now selling eco-friendly versions that only boil the water you need.
They work on a similar principle to power showers. Water starts off cold and then passes through a heating element when you need it. Thus, you only ever boil the water you need without any waste at all.
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