Going green at home doesn't mean that you have to live off the grid or start growing your own food, unless you want to, of course. The smaller changes still have a big impact on both the environment and your energy bills. Whether you're just starting out to make your home eco-friendly, or you're looking for fresh ideas, we've got some easy ways that you can live a little greener everyday. One of the smartest first steps that you can take is to look into options like the new Boiler Eco scheme, which helps homeowners to upgrade to more energy efficient heating systems with government support. Going green isn't just about your heating though. There are plenty of other ways that you can make your home more planet friendly. So let's take a look at five ways that you can be more eco friendly at home.
Start actually recycling
We all know we should be recycling, and we all look at our recycle bins outside, but how often do you really take a look at what you're throwing into your trash? Recycling is important, but reducing what you buy and reusing what you already have is even better. Choosing reusable containers over single use plastic, ditching the disposable coffee cups, and getting into the habit of repairing things instead of replacing them is also smart. A chipped mug, for example, doesn't have to go straight in the bin. It can become a pen holder or a plant pot.
Upgrade your lighting
Lighting makes a bigger difference than you think, not just in terms of energy use, but in terms of the mood of your home. We all know by now that LED bulbs last much longer and use a fraction of the old and outdated bulbs of the past, but go a step further. If you utilise smart lighting and have your lights setup to go off at certain times, you'll never go to bed or out for the day and forget to turn the light off.
Save water where you can
Water feels endless when it's flowing from a tap, but we're fortunate enough to live somewhere that's actually possible. Using less helps to reduce strain on the planet. Simple swaps like installing a low flow shower head, using a water saving toilet flush, or even just turning the tap off while brushing your teeth can all add up. If you've got a garden, consider collecting rainwater to keep your plants happy without turning on the hose every week.
Go vintage with second hand styles
Choosing new things isn't always a good idea. Not when they are thrift stores, online marketplace and community swap sites that are treasure troves for furniture, clothes and household items. Not only will you find unique pieces with more character, but you're also giving items a second life instead of adding to landfill. Vintage is very in right now so start thrifting and see where it takes you.
Cut down on your vampire devices
Electronics that suck up electricity even when you're not using them, like chargers left plugged in or TV's on standby mode, all need to be cut down on. It's such a tiny effort, but it does accumulate and save energy.
