Sustainability has become an important topic of conversation in recent years, and more and more of us are starting to introduce more sustainable practices into our everyday lives. Whether it’s through the clothes we wear or the energy usage in our homes, there are lots of simple changes that can be made if you want to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. This article will explore some of the small changes you can make to ensure your home is more sustainable.
Rainwater Harvesting
If you live in a country with frequent rainfall like the UK, harvesting rainwater is a great option to make your home more sustainable. Rainwater harvesting involves the collecting and sometimes filtering of rainwater which can then be used for activities such as watering plants.
You also have a few options when it comes to implementing a rainwater harvesting system in your home. Options start as simple as collecting rainwater in an outdoor barrel or water butt, although more complex systems involving filtering are available if you want to reuse the water throughout your home.
Greywater System
A greywater system allows homeowners to reuse water that has already been used somewhere throughout their home. Importantly, greywater refers to water that has not come into contact with human waste or other toxic substances. Instead, greywater may have already been used for tasks such as showering and washing laundry.
With a greywater system, this water is then collected, filtered, and purified in most cases. The system should leave you with a collection of water that can then be reused for many garden tasks or cleaning vehicles.
Contrary to popular belief, greywater systems are actually simple to introduce to your home and can have drastic effects on how much water you take from the mains supply.
Solar Panels
Solar panels have been a common sight for the last 30 years, but whilst there may be more state-of-the-art products available, they’re still a great and affordable option if you’re looking to make your home more sustainable.
Solar panels absorb sunlight and then use this to generate electricity around your home. Their sustainability is largely due to the fact that they provide a reusable energy source that offers an unlimited amount of power.
As a result of installing solar panels, your home will be less reliant on energy from non-renewable sources which are obviously more harmful for the environment.
Smart Meter
Smart meters are another product of combining technology with sustainability efforts. Again, whether you’re looking to reduce energy bills or make your home more sustainable, smart meters do both.
Installing a smart meter in your home allows you to accurately track your energy consumption and identify areas in which you could cut down on energy usage. You can also see which appliances in your home may be using unusual amounts of energy, giving you an idea of when products need replacing or upgrading to more energy-efficient alternatives.
Air sealing
Warming your house through a central heating system is not only a costly practice, but one that consumes large amounts of energy. As a result, one of the best ways to make your home more sustainable is by finding ways to prevent the cold air from outside entering your home.
There are many ways to reduce the amount of air that flows into your home, often through exterior windows and doors that aren’t sealed tight around the frames in places like lofts and conservatories.
If you’re looking to improve your loft or conservatory insulation, caulk and airtight tape are two of the most commonly used products to keep living spaces warm and cosy.
Upgraded Boiler
While this one is often disregarded due to high upfront costs, upgrading your boiler can see you consume less energy and subsequently spend less money in the long run. Modern boilers tend to be more efficient when compared with older ones, so it’s definitely worth exploring this option if you haven’t upgraded your boiler in a while.
According to Prime Time Boilers, the 5 most efficient UK boilers are:
- Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000
- Ideal Logic Max
- Glow Worm Energy
- Vaillant ecoTEC exclusive with Green iQ
- Viessmann Vitodens 100
If you have a gas boiler, it may also be worth looking into switching to an electric boiler as these are generally considered a more sustainable option.
Final Thoughts
In truth, it’s never been easier to make your home more sustainable. In addition, sustainable alternatives are no longer the expensive option in many cases and as you’ve probably gathered from this article, increasing sustainability often leads to decreasing expenditure. If you’re concerned about how sustainable your home is, try adding some of the things mentioned throughout this article as a starting point. Before you know it, you may find yourself implementing far more advanced strategies to create the ultimate eco-friendly home!
