Eco home improvements: how to make your house greener

There are many different things that employees can do to minimise environmental damage and make activities at their workplace more sustainable. It is important to be aware of your holiday’s footprint on the environment and opt for more sustainable holidays when possible. Synthetic material sheds microplastics in the washing machine, which reach the ocean. This number is increasing, with textiles contributing 500,000 tonnes yearly. 16% of the microplastics released into the oceans come from washing these synthetic clothes.

Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water

“On a flat roof, solar panels cannot be sited within a metre of the external edge of the roof; or protrude more than a metre above the plane of the roof.” Solar electric panels, also known as photovoltaics (PV), allow you to generate your own renewable electricity. Although a south-facing, unshaded roof is the most effective, others can still benefit. Smart heating controls offer more options for managing home heating systems and are available for all types of heating, including electric storage heating. On average, households benefitting from improvements under the Warm Homes Programme have reduced their annual household fuel bills by an estimated £280. According to the Welsh government, energy efficiency improvements would reduce bills and make properties both more affordable for the current occupants and potentially more attractive for those in the future.

Biodegradable Household Products

On the other hand, too many west-facing windows will provide more light and heat on sweltering summer afternoons and encourage you to use your air conditioning more. Similarly, roof overhang How to make your home more environmentally friendly will block the sun in summer, keeping your home cooler for longer. You may even decide to build your home in a certain location based on the local building materials that are available.

Ways to Be More Eco Friendly in 2024

By integrating these disciplinary guidelines, clean nutrition, exercise and holistic lifestyle changes into your daily routine, you can contribute to a healthier planet and enhance your personal well-being. Empowering in its practical approach, while also remaining optimistic, this should be on everyone’s reading list if you want to learn more about the effects of climate change. Forty per cent of the world’s bird species are in decline, and one in eight is threatened with global extinction. Birds are an intricate component of key ecosystems, such as forests and the marine environment. Attract them into your garden with this bird feeder, and feed them plums, halved oranges, pears and other soft fruit, all of which make a safe, healthy and delicious addition to wild bird’s diet. The statistics regarding our single-use plastic consumption are worrying – by 2050 there could be more plastic, by weight, than fish in our seas.

Consider prefab homes

These plants have adapted to your local climate and soil, which means they require less water and maintenance than non-native species. By using water wisely, we not only save this valuable resource but also reduce the energy required to treat and deliver it to our homes. It’s one of the easiest ways to show love for our planet right from the comfort of your own home. By composting at home, not only are you reducing the amount of waste going into landfills, but you’re also creating a rich fertilizer for your plants and garden.

Reduce your reliance on electricity

Hydronic radiant systems use water as a heating medium rather than air, which is one of the ways to make your home eco friendly. These are not only more energy efficient than standard forced air systems, but they are also less expensive in the long run. Having an environmentally friendly website is just as important as your other sustainable daily practices, such as reducing plastic usage, using public transportation, recycling waste, and others. Reducing our carbon footprint is an enormous endeavor on a global scale – countries and individuals unite together to decrease carbon emissions.

Principles of Green Architecture

Purchasing antique or used products is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Avoid the attractiveness of fast fashion, which is known for its environmental impact and irresponsible practices. To increase the life of your clothing, focus on proper care, prioritize quality over quantity, and avoid impulsive purchases.

There are also LED lights for outside your home, or you could opt for solar-powered outdoor lighting to illuminate paths, steps and other areas. ‘The main sources of direct carbon emissions from a homeowner include cars/trucks and heating,’ says Austin Whitman, CEO of Climate Neutral. Creating a more energy efficient home, along with investing in renewable energy solutions can enable you to play your part in making precious resources go further. All-electric homes can also be very eco-friendly, depending on where your energy comes from. A study by the Rocky Mountain Institute showed that not only are all-electric houses more economical than mixed-fuel homes, but they also have significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions. One of the most popular (and best) ways to power your home with renewable energy is using solar panels.

Upgrade to Energy Efficient Appliances

• Even when not in use, many electronic devices, including televisions, microwaves, scanners, and printers, use standby power to save warm-up time.
• Every decision made during a home renovation can contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle, from choosing eco-friendly gadgets and materials to minimizing waste and reducing energy consumption.
• When it comes to outfitting your home or purchasing household products, second-hand purchases can be just as good as, if not better than brand-new items.
• There are many ways to live more sustainably, including reducing how much meat you eat, taking less flights, and supporting local agriculture.
• Although a south-facing, unshaded roof is the most effective, others can still benefit.

For the bedroom, pick a mattress made with wool, cotton, bamboo, or plant-based foams or latex for a greener choice. There are a number of ways you can cut down on the energy you use to heat your home. A home energy assessment, or a home energy audit, is done by a professional and will explain exactly where your home is losing the most energy. Energy assessment companies will typically use things like blower door tests, gas leak detectors, and moisture meters to evaluate various areas of your home. The journey towards an eco-friendly home is much more than a quest for sustainability. It’s a testament to our collective responsibility towards our planet.