It’s that time of year again. We’re all wondering how to make our lives a little better for next year. New Year’s resolutions get a bad rep for being made but almost never kept. But it doesn’t have to be this way. All you need is a clear goal and simple, actionable steps that will get you there.Do you want to play your part in the fight against climate change? Then why not start by making your home more eco-friendly?Listed below are our top 7 simple, easy-to-implement tips that will help you achieve that goal.
Using Higher Quality Firewood
There is a common myth that firewood isn’t a clean heat source. In reality, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. As long as you use a modern wood stove and quality kiln-dried firewood from a top provider like Lekto, you can generate as little as 0.008 kilos of CO2 per kWh.
The problem is that most people in Brighton use cheap wood that hasn’t been dried to adequate levels. And when moist wood is burned, it releases not only large quantities of CO2 but also produces creosote, which contains various cancerogenic substances.
So if you rely on wood heat, make sure you only buy firewood and briquettes that are certified according to Defra’s Ready to Burn certification. This guarantees that the wood fuel you buy is dry enough to burn safely.
Upgrade to LED Lighting
If you still have old CFL (or, god forbid, halogen) light bulbs in your home, do yourself a favour and pick up a set of LED bulbs next time you visit your local supermarket. Not only do LEDs use far less electricity than CFLs, but they also last a lot longer. Top of the range LED lightbulbs can last as long as 50,000 hours. In comparison, CFLs can only last about 8,000 hours and you’d be lucky to get 2,000 hours out of a power-hungry 60-watt halogen bulb.
Price is also no longer a factor. While LED light bulbs used to be a lot more expensive than their traditional counterparts, there is barely any price difference between them today. You can even order some from IKEA for as little as £1.
Washing Your Clothes on a Colder Setting
Now for something that you can start doing today and without spending a pound. In fact, you’ll actually be saving money.Washing machine water heaters use up a large portion of a typical household’s energy usage. And as most people in the UK are chronic water overheaters, simply being more mindful about your washing machine settings can save a lot more electricity than you might think.
You see, with the exception of some fringe cases where you’re dealing with extremely stubborn stains, washing at 30°C will yield the same exact result as washing at 50°C or even 60°C. All the while greatly reducing the amount of energy used and, by proxy, the amount of CO2 released into the environment.
Buying Used or Recycled Products
Looking to make a purchase in the near future? Consider going the pre-loved or recycled route. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you can also get items of far superior quality compared to what you’d be able to get for the same price new.Don’t know where to go? We’ve got you covered! Located in Saunders Park off Lewes Road, Shabitat is a warehouse filled to the brim with affordable furniture, quality electrical goods, and houseware that can last you decades. And if you’re looking for second-hand clothing, then it’s hard to go wrong with Snoopers Paradise or To Be Worn Again. They have all the clothes you can imagine. And a lot you can’t.
Being More Conscious About Your Water Usage
This tip seems obvious, yet here we are heading into 2022 and most people still use far more water than they should. Simple steps include having showers instead of baths. Not leaving the tap running when brushing your teeth. And not running the dishwasher when it’s mostly empty (you won’t die if you wash those two plates by hand, trust us).
