We all want to be a friend to the environment.
It’s no secret that this big, blue, swirling ball that we so lovingly call home has been going through some rather alarming changes of late. Is this a surprise? Probably not. It is, after all, terrifically old. The Earth, like all homes, over the course of time, begins to creak and groan under the strain of life’s unwavering conditions. It is only natural and normal. Sadly, it is also natural and normal to fall under steady decline if the dominant occupants of this particular dig are a rather rowdy and carefree bunch prone to neglect and unsavoury conduct. And this, dear reader, is, at least in part, where we find ourselves at the present moment.
The house, it seems, is in a royal state. And the landlord wants us out.
Thankfully, we still have time to sweet talk our way into a longer term lease, if we are swift and sweet in our nature. But we must be sweet. And we must be swift.
There are many ways in which we can make our own homes more environmentally friendly. Some of these things are, admittedly, leaning quite heavily on the pricey side and may not be for everybody. Installing solar panels, for example, are undoubtedly a long term investment and can it take up to 20 years for you to finally break even.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything. Little changes here and there can have a positive impact, not only on the environment, but also on your wallet. Intrigued? Good. Well, to start you on your way, here are 5 things you can do on a budget to help make your home a more eco-friendly place to live in.
LED Lighting: These fantastic light bulbs have been around for a while, but they are definitely worth mentioning as they are just so gosh darn great and so much more energy efficient than your regular bulbs. LED light bulbs use far less electricity, they last longer and, in the long run, they can save you a fair bundle of cash. If you haven’t got these super savers, go out and get them now. We promise you won’t regret it.
Reduce Water Use: How often have you left the tap running when brushing your teeth? Or spent ages daydreaming in the shower? We’ve all been guilty of it. Being a bit more aware of the water you use is a simple yet effective step in eliminating waste. And don’t forget about fixing those leaks! So much water is wasted in each household every year and it can easily be avoided with a little care.
Smart Meter: You’ve probably heard about these recently being raved about and it’s for good reason. Smart Meters are planned to be rolled out into every household in the UK eventually, but why not get ahead of the game and enquire today? This handy little device measures the gas and electricity you’re using, as well as what it’s costing and displays all of this for you to see. No more estimated billing! Seeing what you’re spending enables you to cut back and reduce your energy consumption. Fantastic!
Be Kitchen Clever: The kitchen is home to many of our electrical appliances, so it’s right that you should focus some time on how you are using them. Make toast using the oven? Got the tumble dryer thumping along whilst you have a perfectly good garden on a perfectly summery day? You know what we’re saying. Be mindful of what you’re using. And if you’re not using it, turn it off.
Recycle: You know it, we know it, the whole world knows it. Recycling is a positive thing to do and we all ought to be doing far more of it. Bottles, cardboard…whatever it is, make sure you put it into the appropriate recycle bin. You’ll be doing the right thing. And we all need to be doing more of the right thing right now.
Being more environmentally friendly is something that we should all be striving more for as we gain our feet in the 21st Century. It may not be at the forefront of our minds as we learn how to manage life with the Coronavirus, but if these times teach us anything it is that life is fragile. Do what you can, how you can, when you can. And, together, we may help make a better world.
