Going Green
Most of us recycle these days, but day to day living in the modern world still has us leaving a hefty carbon footprint. If you’re thinking about going completely green the whole idea can seem like a momentous challenge, but with a few simple lifestyle changes it’s not as tough as you might imagine.
“Like a lot of other big changes, you’ll probably find going green and sticking to it easier if you do it in stages rather than going all out in one go”, advise the guys at Assetgrove. Just follow these simple steps one at a time, and before you know it you’ll be amazed at how much of a difference you’re making to the planet.
- Turn down the thermostat on the heating when you’re out and programme the heating and water to come on at certain times rather than leaving it on 24/7.
- Clean your fridge coils by turning it off and wiping with a damp cloth every few months. This will make it more energy efficient as well as keeping it fresh.
- Start composting. We learn from the guys behind Best Gapp that it’s easy to start a compost bin with simple household waste items: “You can use coffee ground, tea bags, crushed eggshells and ashes from your fireplace for a real reduce, re-use and recycle approach to your house keeping.”
- Invest in a few houseplants- they’re a great way to keep the air in your home fresh and clean and look good, too.
- Repair leaky taps as soon as you notice a problem- constant dripping is a waste of water as well as irritating to listen to.
- Change your energy supplier to a more environmentally friendly option- solar, geothermal, biomass and wind turbine power is becoming increasingly popular and more affordable.
- Wash clothes in cold water as much as you can. Obviously that’s not easy if your garments are heavily soiled, but those just needing a freshen up will do just as well with a cooler wash, and you’ll doing the environment a huge favour as well as your bank account.
- Dry your clothes on the line rather than using an electric dryer- they’re notorious energy guzzlers and line dried clothes smell much fresher.
- Install a low flow head on your shower- you can pick them up relatively cheaply at most home stores, and you’ll notice a huge reduction in your water bills.
- Turn off the tap when you’re cleaning your teeth. Gallons of water gets wasted daily in every household by people keeping the water running while they’re polishing their pearly whites. Keep the tap firmly off until it’s time to rinse.
At Plaza Estates they say that greener homes are also more appealing to buyers: “Millenials in particular are interested in properties with environmentally conscious features, so if you invest a little now in solar panels or smart meters you could well find yourself better off when it comes to selling up.”
