In the UK the average household emits 8.1 tonnes of CO2 every year with most other Western countries having statistics around that mark too. It’s undeniable that the homes we live in have a detrimental impact on the environment. So what can we do to reduce our impact?
Environmentally Conscious Ways to Having a Eco Home
Well there are everyday steps you can take to help limit the amount of energy you waste every day such as:
- Change to LED light bulbs. They last longer, are more durable, and offer comparable or better light quality as well as using less energy.
- Recycle. From plastic bottles to junk mail to old clothes and fabrics.
- Don’t keep your water running. Up to 18 liters a minute can be wasted by keeping your tap running when it’s not in use!
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room. 30% of a home’s energy usage comes from its lighting so you won’t just be saving energy but also money!
But what if you want to make bigger strides forward to reduce your home’s impact on the environment? An eco-home may be seen as just a trendy descriptive term for new-age buildings. You may see them popping up here and there, but they are much more within your grasp than you may think.
When you’re looking to design and build your own eco home (or simply make your current home more environmentally friendly), there are a variety of environmentally conscious features you can include to not only save the environment but also save money!
Environmentally Conscious Features
- Solar Panels are the perfect way to provide electrical energy to your home and they produce 0 emissions. Not only can they be fitted to most homes, but they can save you upwards of £8,000 over 20 years!
- Wood burners are a great alternative to traditional boilers. Renewable, carbon neutral as a fuel source and dependable.
- Underfloor heating. No, it’s not just for expensive spas and hotels, underfloor heating when used correctly is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home and can increase energy efficiency by up to 40%.
- Smart tech. Possibly the easiest way to keep on track of your spending and your energy usage. People have recorded savings of around £200 from simply being more aware of their energy usage.
For more information on features, you can include in your home take a look at the infographic below…
Estimate of 80 tonnes given above is for the construction of a brand-new cottage with two bedrooms upstairs and two reception rooms and a kitchen downstairs. It’s based on a study that I was involved in for Historic Scotland.
Contributed courtesy of Sasha Francis.
Related:
- How to Make Solar Panels
- What To Know About Starting a Wildflower Garden
- How to Bring a Natural Living Lifestyle into your Home?
- 5 Steps To An Eco-Friendly Life
