Building a more eco-friendly home is something most modern homeowners aspire to achieve. However, wanting to go green and knowing how to do it are two very different things.
When you focus on the right factors, though, you can see significant results in next to no time. Here are six of the best considerations to guide your transformation.
Improve Your Insulation & Air Circulation
Energy loss is one of the worst culprits for causing large carbon footprints, particularly in the home. Therefore, ensuring that both insulation and circulation are under control should be a priority. When you get it right, the property’s energy efficiency levels will soar.
The roofing and windows will set the tone, which is why you want solutions that keep the warmth in but also allow for good airflow. Meanwhile, choosing thermal curtains can also work wonders for temperature regulation. Ceiling fans are another solution that will allow you to maintain control over energy usage and your family’s comfort.
Draft excluders can be particularly useful in the winter while you can store them away in the summer to promote better airflow. You can also install an ionizer air purifier to enhance indoor air quality.
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
Our modern households use a greater number of appliances than ever before. While they all use some energy, selecting the best models can reduce your energy consumption levels. This will save money in the long run while also minimising the environmental impact.
Efficient washing machines and dishwashers will use less electricity and water. A water-efficient toilet can cut water usage by 75%. Smart thermostats and other tech will learn your habits and regulate themselves for added efficiency too. For the best results, you should also look at the energy ratings of TVs and other household goods.
Embrace Plant Life
Adopting a greener lifestyle is largely centred around the concept of feeling more connected with nature. When thinking about ways to do this in the home, plants are the obvious answer.
Choosing holly trees and other evergreens will allow you to design a garden that looks stunning throughout the year. Plantlife can help to counterbalance some of our emissions by taking in carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.
But plant life doesn’t have to be limited to the garden. Potted houseplants allow you to see the rewards inside your home too, including improved air quality and a sense of peace and wellbeing.
Upgrade Your Windows
Upgrading your windows is a crucial step in creating a more eco-friendly home. Windows play a significant role in regulating a home’s temperature and energy efficiency. By replacing old, inefficient windows with energy-efficient ones using speciality glazing, you can dramatically reduce heat loss during the winter and prevent heat gain during the summer. This means your heating and cooling systems won’t have to work as hard, resulting in lower energy bills and reduced carbon emissions.
Additionally, modern eco-friendly windows often feature double or triple glazing and advanced framing materials, which provide better insulation and soundproofing. By investing in upgraded windows, you can create a more eco-friendly home.
Choose Materials Wisely
Camada cork flooring from The Colour Flooring Company
As well as having the right appliances and home features in place, it’s important to make wise choices when it comes to the materials that you choose for your eco-friendly home.
Natural materials can be integrated into many aspects of your home decor. Cork flooring, wood furniture, and organic fabrics are all fantastic choices. Meanwhile, switching to chemical-free cleaning materials will reduce your emissions. Better still, you will notice that it changes your mindset while simultaneously bringing calm to the home.
Repair, Upcycle & Sell
Even when we are calculated about the items we add to the home, premature replacements can be an issue. Unfortunately, we live in a world where this approach is regularly encouraged. A focus on repairing rather than replacing items can work wonders.
In many cases, appliances can be restored to their former glory through DIY. Even calling a handyman is a better solution for your pocket and emissions than a replacement. Meanwhile, turning old pallets into garden furniture or planters can be very useful. You may also use upcycling to improve outfits or create fun bedroom decor for your child’s room.
Finally, when getting rid of products that you no longer need, you can give them a new lease of life by selling them on to someone who does need them. It saves them from landfill and earns you some extra cash in the process. Perfect.