Now that people are becoming more environmentally conscious, we’re all starting to think about upgrades we could make to our homes. Not only can we help the environment, but we can also boost our quality of life. The great thing is that there are lots of things you could add to your home, and some of them are better value for money than you think.
Lighting
Now more than ever we are feeling the pinch when it comes to the cost of electricity. Unfortunately, we all rely on electricity for many areas of life, including lighting up our homes. Even if you’re careful not to leave a light on in rooms you’re not in, you know how expensive your bills are. A great way to spend less on your lighting is by installing dimmer switches. Not only are you able to control how bright your lights are, but it adds a cosy feel to your home too.
You should also be thinking about replacing your bulbs with energy saving light bulbs. They’re really inexpensive to buy, and can save up to 90% electricity compared to normal ones. So, while you may spend a few bucks on each light bulb, you will more than make up for it in the savings on your electricity bill.
Solar panels
We should all be aware of what solar panels are by now. They’re eco-friendly panels that absorb sunlight and convert it into usable energy in your home. You might be wondering “how much do solar panels cost”, and while the truth is that they will be a large investment to begin with, they will eventually pay for themselves. Your electricity bills will become almost non-existent, especially during the summer months. Not only that, you could also make money from your solar panels by selling any unused energy back to the grid.
Having solar panels installed on your home will also increase the value of your home too. Many home buyers in this day and age are looking for homes that come with environmentally friendly features, so you can expect a hike in the price of your home if you ever come to sell.
Ditch the harmful products
Intentionally or not, millions of people around the world are using products that are damaging the environment. Cleaning and beauty products are all culprits of this. Where possible, switch to eco-friendly home products to help make a positive contribution towards the environment. You’ll soon begin to notice that by making this switch you notice other improvements too like style, how effective the products are, and how much money you’ve saved in the process.
Windows
If the windows on your home have never been replaced, it might be time to consider double glazing. They will help transform the exterior of your home, meaning a higher sale value, but most importantly they’ll help retain heat in your home when it’s cold outside. The same goes for the summer too – well sealed windows help keep the heat out when you need a cool area to relax. Having them installed helps contribute towards the environment because you’ll need less gas and electricity to keep your home at the right temperature. Definitely an investment worth considering if your windows are draughty or are old and unstable.
Vegetable garden
Another way to contribute towards the environment is by growing your own vegetable garden. If you’ve got a greenhouse, you can grow produce all year round! You’ll not only save money by growing your own food, but you’ll be helping the environment by being a part of the self-sufficient community.
You’ll notice that the produce from your garden will have its own distinct flavour too. This is because they haven’t been sprayed with chemicals and you’ve controlled the soil that it grew in. And, you can rest assured that the food you’re eating is all natural! Plus, who doesn’t love the satisfaction of digging into food that you’ve grown from the beginning?
Log fire
Finally, getting rid of your gas fires and replacing them with log burners is a great way to contribute to the environment because you’ll no longer be using gas or electricity to heat your home. You’ll need to look after your log burner by making sure it’s cleaned out and that the smoke can escape through your chimney, but it’s a great way of heating your home for a much lower cost. You’ll now be able to burn wood or charcoal, which is widely available in home and DIY stores.
