Author Archive | Jennie Lyon

For those of us trying to live greener lives, the home is a constant battleground. We’d like to believe that we’ve covered all our bases. But in truth, we probably haven’t. 

Here’s a sobering list of all the ways that you waste energy in your home.

Failing To Program Your Thermostat

Official figures suggest that heating and cooling consume around half of all the energy that our homes use. Programming your thermostat correctly, therefore, is critical. Even if it slightly out of whack, it could have massive ramifications for your energy consumption. 

Overall, smart thermostats tend to more efficient than their manual counterparts, but both are essential in the battle against waste. The more tightly you regulate the times when it comes on and off, the less CO2 you’ll emit. 

Replacing Appliances When They Can Be Repaired

We live in a “throwaway” culture. Contrary to the past, most people can now afford to replace things when they break. But buying a brand new appliance is wasteful when all you need to do is replace a single component. It doesn’t make sense, especially now that you can get parts to fix your dryer, washing machine, or dishwasher quickly. 

Running Your Dishwasher Half Full

Speaking of which, running your dishwasher half full is yet another eco faux-pas. Remember, your dishwasher just goes through the motions. It has no idea that it is half full or that it should try to use less water. It just does what it does. 

Browsing With The Fridge Door Open

A lot of modern refrigerator manufacturers now deck out their appliances with a door-mounted screen and an interior camera that allows people to see what’s inside. Opening the door is an energy conservation nightmare. When the cold air escapes – which it inevitably does – the compressor has to spring into action and cool it down again. And when that happens, it guzzles more energy – not what you want!

Using Old-Fashioned Lightbulbs

The incandescent lightbulb changed the world for the better. But it wasn’t energy-efficient. Around 90 percent of all of the electricity that goes into it gets converted into heat and is wasted. Only 10 percent becomes the photons that you actually see. 

Compare that to LED bulbs where 90 percent of electricity creates light, and just 10 percent is wasted heat, and you soon see why the world is going bonkers for them. 

Leaving Lights On When You’re Not Using Them

Some modern smart homes now have lights that automatically switch off when you leave the room – similar to those used in retail. This solution is actually a good idea. It takes away the hassle of having to interact with the switch. And it works, regardless of whether you remember to use it or not. Plus, it has the “cool factor.” You can just walk into a room, and it’ll illuminate as if by magic. 

Managing energy use in our homes is the primary way that we can live more eco-friendly lives. Even small changes can add up to make a big difference. 

We all need to recycle, yet we need to make sure we do so in a thoughtful and considered manner. There are a lot of problems with recycling today. This includes the fact that people aren’t recycling enough, as well as the fact that it is expensive and people are going about it in the wrong way. However, there are a number of different ways that you can make recycling easier. 

Firstly, you need to get into a routine. You need to understand the ins and outs of how recycling will operate in your household, and then make a routine to ensure it happens. This all depends on the products you use and your location. You also need to make sure you recycle properly. Some items need to be recycled by specialist companies, with electronic goods being a prime example of this. You should never simply throw a broken phone or laptop in the bin! The same goes for the batteries that power them as well. Education is power how. You not only need to know what to recycle, but how to go about it. 

To discover more about recycling – the good, the bad, and the stats – take a look at the infographic below. You will find out some great information regarding the smart way to recycle, as well as some advice on what you should recycle in 2020, as well as the items that cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bin. This information should help you to make recycling a lot more straightforward. 

The climate crisis is deepening and every day the clock ticks ever on. We cannot escape the fact that the way that we have been living as a society has damaged our world and that we need to do a lot more in order to change the tide. 

Many people may spend their time pointing the finger at big businesses and the world’s governments as being the people who are to blame for the lack of improvement in the health of the planet. But, while they need to change their ways, we all need to start making greener choices in our everyday lives. 

There are a lot of things that each and every one of us could be doing in order to make an impact on reducing the damage we are inflicting on the planet. Here are some ways that you could make your home greener. 

Look At Your Energy Sources

Who do you get your energy from? If you get your gas and electricity through one of the biggest energy providers, do you know how they produce this? There are many electricity companies that are still burning coal in order to fuel their power stations. This throws out a considerable amount of pollution into our atmosphere. So, every time you turn on the lights in your home, you are contributing to global warming. One option that you have at your disposal is to switch to a completely renewable energy provider. 

An option that is likely to save you money in the long run through is if you have your own solar power systems fitted to your property so that you can generate your own electricity. While it might be a big expense now, eventually you will see cost savings, as well as a reduction in emissions 

Regardless of your energy sources, you should ensure that you are not wasting valuable resources. Make sure that you turn lights off when you are not in the room, try not to leave the TV on, and don’t leave your computer on standby and plugged in. Use a smart meter to show you exactly how much energy you are using by doing simple things around the home. 

Eat Less Meat And Dairy 

The animal agriculture industry is responsible for a great deal of pollution on this planet. Meat consumption has risen dramatically over the last few decades. And, in order to produce more meat and dairy, we need more animal feed. That means more land to grow crops to produce feed. In order to obtain that land, forests are cut down. The rainforests are being destroyed to create farmland to feed our needs. 

By cutting down the amount of meat and dairy we all consume, the demand for this type of agriculture will drop.

Think about having days when you don’t eat any animal products. You can start to gradually increase these as you get used to cooking in new ways. You may even want to switch to a fully plant based vegan diet. 

Becoming more environmentally friendly is something that most of us are keen to do. We’re all finally becoming more aware of the damage that we, and our bad habits, have been causing our planet, and that we need to make some changes. Some of these changes are big. Some are global in nature and affect every single one of us. But, there are plenty of changes that you can make yourself. 

Some of these changes are still pretty significant. You’ll undoubtedly have to put a little effort in if you want to give up your car and start walking more, and your bank balance will notice a considerable expense, like an electric car. But, not all changes come as such as shock. If you are in the habit of either saying, “well, nothing I could do will help enough” or, “I don’t want to change the way that I live.” Then these changes are things that you should consider at home. If we all did them, they’d make a substantial difference, but when it comes to your day to day life, you’ll barely notice. 

Solar Panels

Having solar panels installed can be an expense, but many of us are entitled to grants, and you’ll save a lot more money over their lifetime once they are in place. Yes, there may be some disruption as solar installers work, but once your panels are operational, you’ll start to enjoy their benefits, without noticing any change to your home life or power supplies. 

Reusables

For the first few weeks, remembering to take your bags to the store, or to fill up your reusable bottles in the morning, can be tough, and many of us are guilty of forgetting. But, once you do get into that habit, you’ll soon start to resent having to pay for bags or bottles when you are out and about. 

Switch to a Renewable Energy Provider

Many energy providers today claim to supply 100% renewable energy. But, not all of them actually do. Check out your current provider’s policies, and consider a switch if necessary. You shouldn’t notice any difference, and most green providers now offer very competitive rates.

Unplug Devices and Skip Standby

Your devices might stop charging when they hit 100%, but they still run on the mains power. Unplugging them when they are fully charged, and turning appliances like your TV off, instead of on to standby, won’t affect your life, but it will save energy. 

Let the Sun Heat Your Home

The sun is exceptionally powerful. Even on a colder day, when the sun is out, shining through your windows, it can help you to keep warm. Follow the sun around your home, opening curtains when the sun is shining in, and closing them when it isn’t. This can help you to turn your heating off a few weeks earlier. 

Swap Your Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning supplies can contain harmful, unfriendly chemicals. We don’t need these. It’s perfectly possible, and safe to clean your home with natural products, which still kill germs. You can also switch to washable cloths instead of disposables. 

If you’re looking for a new home, or you’re preparing to relocate, there are several steps you can take to embrace greener living and protect the planet. As more and more of us look for ways to reduce carbon emissions and waste, here are some top tips for house hunters. 

Choosing a location

Many buyers prioritize location as a result of wanting to be close to relatives and friends or to be in the catchment areas for good schools. While these factors may be critical to you, it’s also beneficial to consider location in terms of your carbon footprint. If you can buy close to your place of work or your kids’ school, for example, this will enable you to save money on commuting and travel costs and to embrace greener ways of getting around such as cycling and walking. If you have an area in mind, look for properties that are available within your budget, and consider nearby neighborhoods if you can’t find exactly what you’re searching for. The smaller the search area, the lower the probability of securing the property of your dreams, especially in sought-after suburbs and streets. 

Focusing on energy efficiency and cutting costs

When it comes to your finances, it’s important to be aware of how much you’re spending up-front, how much you’re borrowing and how much you’re going to spend running your new home. As well as looking for the best home loan, it’s wise to consider ways to lower longer-term living expenses. Check energy efficiency certificates and take a look at building projects that have already been completed. There are all kinds of incredible eco-friendly homes popping up all over the world and you could take inspiration from them to increase energy efficiency and create a greener home. Look into possibilities like building and decorating with sustainable materials, adding insulation and using green weather-proofing concepts. You could also consider adding solar panels to switch to renewable energy. 

In years gone by, you might have been greeted with a confused expression when asking real estate agents about finding a green property, but today, the world is a very different place and demand for eco-friendly homes has soared. If you do have designs on a property that is sustainable and energy-efficient, it’s beneficial to discuss your preferences with your realtor and to outline the issues that matter most to you. 

Size and space

Many of us have got used to living in houses that are too big for us. We have living rooms that we use once a year, attics that lie empty and more bedrooms than we know what to do with. If you are moving, be mindful of how much space you actually need. Bigger homes take more energy to heat, so consider downsizing. Think about how often you use each room in your current home. If you don’t need five bedrooms or two formal living areas, look for a smaller property, which will cost less to run. 

Recycling

If you’re planning on taking on a project, and you’re preparing to get your hands dirty and carry out renovations, try and recycle as much as you can. Take old furniture to salvage yards or donate it to charity if it’s in good condition. You could also consider embracing the upcycling trend and using your creativity and DIY skills to create new pieces. Separate recyclable materials when you’re clearing out the property and take them to a plant. When redecorating, look for furniture made from sustainable materials and opt for eco-friendly paint.

While it can be tempting to ‘get the job done’, it is vital to stay committed to your values and take your time to use the right materials to achieve your goals. You don’t have to be a carpenter to achieve the look you’re after; for example, if you’re looking for a wood-like finish on your walls, you could opt for a Stikwood solution like their minimalist fir option. Check it out here: https://www.stikwood.com/products/minimalist-fir. Recycling isn’t only about getting rid of or upcycling materials; it also refers to sourcing materials. So keep it in the back of your mind.

Outdoor space

For many house hunters, outdoor space is an essential. If you’re looking at gardens and backyards, consider the level of upkeep required and look for potential to create vegetable patches and wildlife-friendly zones. You can use your garden to provide a safe haven for feathered or furry friends, to add greenery and to provide food for your family. Even if you’re not a green-fingered guru, you should be able to grow your own produce, provided you’ve got a sheltered area you can turn into a designated vegetable patch. If you’re a beginner, it’s a good idea to start with salad leaves, peas, runner beans and radishes. 

If you’re concerned about the environment, it makes sense to think about how you can embrace greener living when buying a new house. Most of us will move a few times in our lifetimes, and it’s beneficial to consider these tips if you are house hunting, and you’re keen to do your bit. Think about the location carefully, figure out how much space you really need and look for ways to create a more cost-effective, energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly home.