According to experts at Confused.com, "Adopting small yet impactful eco-friendly changes in our daily lives can significantly reduce environmental harm and save money in the long run. LED bulbs, for example, can reduce carbon emissions by up to 40kg per year. Switching to A-rated energy efficient appliances can also save you £30 or more annually.”
“These seemingly minor adjustments collectively make a big difference by lowering energy consumption, reducing utility bills, and minimizing our overall carbon footprint."
They offer these five tips on an eco-friendly home renovation:
Power in plants
Almost 9 in 10 (87%) adults in the UK are making changes to their lifestyle to help tackle environmental issues. But there’s an extremely easy way to contribute to the world’s ecosystem that many don’t consider. With varying types, sizes and benefits, plants make a great decor item that also hosts eco-friendly benefits. Not only do they make versatile and unique decor to add character to a room but they also help to improve air quality.
Indoor plants can also help to regulate temperature.
Low VOC decor
On average, 3 in 4 (76%) potential property buyers now look for sustainable features in the home. This includes what the EPC rating is and the age of the property being at the forefront of a buyer’s mind. However, it’s also key to keep in mind the internal factors of the home. For example, whether some of the interior is made with sustainable, low-VOC ingredients. Using water-based paint is the best way to make a home sustainable. That’s because it doesn’t sacrifice quality or performance as it contains lower levels of VOCs, it’s easier to clean up and is less odor-causing.
Volatile organic compounds can be harmful to your health. But using low-VOC options for paint, wood stains, and other interior decor elements in your home can help reduce the emission of these harmful chemicals. This approach contributes to better indoor air quality compared to traditional products with higher VOC levels.
Low VOC paint formulas are made with fewer harmful chemicals. This means there will be less pollutants released into the air, improving indoor air quality.
Eco-safe appliances
On average, the UK produces 1.45 million tons of electrical waste annually. But fixing faulty appliances has become easier due to new regulations, such as the UK legislation’s Right to Repair initiative. This legislation requires manufacturers to offer repairs at a reasonable price and within a reasonable timeframe even after the legal guarantee period.
When you buy a new appliance, you can identify its efficiency levels by checking the energy label. This should run from A to F, with A being the most energy-efficient. These labels allow consumers to make informed choices and consider the environmental impact of household appliances. For example, washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14%⁸ of a typical energy bill.
Energy efficient lighting
Compared to the traditional light bulb, energy-saving bulbs last up to 12 times as long providing the same quality for less energy usage.
Within the past three years two-thirds of lightbulbs sold in Britain were LEDs. It would cost an average of £180 in total to replace the entire home with these eco-friendly bulbs. But it would save at least £40 annually per household. The great benefit of using LED lighting is they’re also available in a range of brightness levels and designs. This can give you full interior designing ideas to suit your rooms.
Renewable energy
Almost half (47%) of Brits admit they feel guilty about the negative impact they may have on the environment. It can be difficult to constantly be conscious about your usage and spending. But one way to help reduce the guilt and prioritise eco-living is by switching to a renewable electricity source. Options such as solar photovoltaic installations9, or solar panels, convert the sun's energy into electricity by using photovoltaic cells.
You can also combine solar PV’s with electric heating systems to run your heating and hot water purely using renewable sources. If you include solar battery storage to accompany your PV system, you can store energy and use it whenever you need, giving complete independence.
