10 Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly
Now, more than ever, looking after the environment is important. Being eco-friendly is a beneficial change that starts with you, so we have outlined 10 ways to make your home more eco-friendly.
Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle helps to secure our future, protect the planet and support the other species. But there are many personal household benefits associated with it too, as many eco-friendly actions decrease energy bills and stop holes from forming in your pockets.
Here are our ten recommended tips for making your home more eco-friendly:
1. Reduce
Reducing means putting some thought into what we consume, making sure that we really need what we buy. Impulse purchasing can often result in hard-to-recycle packaging ending up in your household, so by really evaluating what you actually need you can do your part for the environment.
2. Reuse
Reusing is repurposing items that you’d otherwise throw out. For example, using clothing that has been stained for cleaning purposes, or using an empty candle jar for storage or for placing tealights.
3. Recycle
Typically this is the last resort if you can’t find another purpose for it. Most people have a recycling bin as part of their waste management package, but it’s also important to be aware of what can and what can’t be recycled.
4. Energy Savings
It’s more than likely that when we use electricity, it has been provided by a non-renewable energy source. By simply switching off and unplugging our sockets, we can save on energy bills and reduce pressure on non-renewable energy.
Smart energy meters allow you to accurately measure your electricity consumption to adjust it accordingly – ESB Networks is doing a phased rollout of these to Irish homes, with no upfront cost.
Additionally, SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) offer a range of grants for energy efficiency initiatives including solar power and heating controls.
Whitebox homes are architecturally designed with these sustainable features as standard, saving you the retrofitting of these.
5. Warm Up
Particularly in the Winter months, keeping warm is essential. But turning on the heating isn’t the only option. Instead, add extra layers, use a hot water bottle, or have a hot drink.
6. Drive Electric
An extension to your home, the vehicles we use affect the environment too. If it’s an option for you, consider an electric vehicle to reduce carbon emissions. Many Whitebox communities feature electric vehicle charging points.
7. Smart Clothes Washing
Washing machines use a lot of energy, so be efficient with clothes washing, putting in full loads and what really needs to be cleaned. Using cold temperature options save energy. Most modern washing machines now have an Eco-Wash option, saving time and energy.
8. Smart Clothes Drying
Drying machines are more energy-consuming than washing machines and can lead to harmful C02 emissions. When possible, dry your clothes naturally – on a washing line or clothes horse.
9. Don’t Waste Food
It’s very easy to ‘overstock’ for food when shopping, and it’s even worse when we shop while hungry. When you buy something fresh, keep an eye on the date and if you don’t think it will be used by then, freeze it.
10. Compost
Investing in a compost bin is a great way to get rid of leftovers, also giving you a free fertiliser to use on plants. It makes the process of getting rid of household waste easier.
Now that you’ve read our tips for having an eco-friendly home, why not view our current developments here.
To register your interest in a home, please talk to one of our approved Mortgage Providers who can fast-track your application to the best rate for your circumstances.