Over 15% of the UK’s total carbon footprint comes from emissions created at home, so it falls to all of us to do our bit to improve our home life for the better when it comes to considering the environment. As you are in control of how you run your household and how you shop, there is no easier way to start making immediate changes, than with our three easy ways to greenify your home.
1. Watch your water consumption
Supplying our homes with readily available hot and cold water uses a huge amount of energy. Turning the tap off when brushing teeth, showering instead of bathing and washing up dishes instead of using the dishwasher, are small daily wins that soon add up to conserve water.
Why not take your water conservation levels up a notch and look at installing dual flush toilets in your home and water butts in the garden.
2. Make more everyday eco-friendly choices
Becoming more mindful of your routine activities and their long term effect on the environment starts at home. Changing everyday habits to minimise environmental damage and become more sustainable can be incredibly easy. Forming new daily habits will help reduce your carbon footprint by generating less polluting waste.
Buying from zero-waste stores and opting for unpackaged fruit and vegetables during your weekly shop will result in an immediate reduction of single-use plastic. Investing in and actually using a reusable water bottle and coffee cup, along with making a packed lunch are all ways you can avoid producing unnecessary waste.
There are many ‘cleaner’ and less toxic household products that are more widely available in shops and supermarkets than ever before. Switching from synthetic based cleaning products to brands that are more environmentally conscious and made-up of more natural ingredients will mean that your household will expel less toxic waste. Use soap bars over packaged products, and refill containers when possible.
When it comes to clothing, opt for quality, natural materials over fast, throwaway fashion items. Many brands have also introduced recycled material lines in recent years, so finding these more sustainable items is easier.
Household birthdays and celebrations typically result in piles of unnecessary waste. Start wrapping gifts in recyclable paper, or use reusable gift bags that can be reused year after year. Utilise the crockery you have rather than reaching for single-use disposable items, and investing in multi-use fabric bunting and decorations that can be used repeatedly.
3. Switch your heating source
This one requires more of a financial investment, but if you are serious about changing your home for the better, then opting for a renewable heating source is a great way to make a difference. Using a cleaner fuel, such as solar power, ground source heating or a biomass boiler could also save you money on your energy bills when compared to fossil fuels.
Have you considered sourcing a Green Mortgage for your property?
A green mortgage is a mortgage that offers favourable terms to buyers of energy-efficient homes. Typically eligible on new build property, or properties whose EPC certificate equates to a certain energy efficiency figure.
Skyline Mortgage Consultants offer green mortgage products to those who are eligible. To understand more about applying for a green mortgage, then why not get in touch with Tony. Book an online appointment for a time to suit you, in an instant.
Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it.