Everyone wants to do their bit to combat climate change and environmental pollution. Thinking of our impact on the environment can sometimes be quite scary and overwhelming, but by doing our part to minimize environmental damage, we can feel safer in the knowledge that we’re doing all we can to preserve the planet for future generations.
But what steps can we take to fight against climate change? It’s easy to think that our individual efforts won’t make a difference, but if we all pitch in, each small change can have a big impact. With this in mind, here are some simple changes you can make in your home to become more eco-friendly.
Install solar panels
Switching to renewable energy is one of the best ways to protect the environment. Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which accelerates global warming and therefore puts natural habitats at risk. On the other hand, renewable energy is safe, clean and can be used over and over again without depletion.
However, the widespread use of renewable energy has been hindered by the inefficiency of these resources in the past. This efficiency is measured by the levelised cost of energy (LCOE), which means that LCOE solar, for example, measures the overall cost of generating solar energy for a particular asset. Thankfully, this efficiency has increased over the years as technology has developed, and it’s now becoming much more common for people to install solar panels on the roofs of their homes. Not only does this supply your home with clean energy, but it’ll also save you money on your energy bills and even lead to you receiving payments for the extra energy you generate and export to the grid.
Invest in smart technology
In addition to solar panels, you should also invest in smart home technologies if you want to reduce your carbon footprint. For example, a smart thermostat could help you control and monitor your energy usage, and a smart meter will help you program your heating to turn on at certain times of the day so you’re only using energy when you really need it. Again, these technologies will reduce your energy usage whilst also saving you money on energy bills – it’s a win-win situation!
Buy energy-efficient windows
If you have old, draughty windows, then you could be losing a lot of heat from your home and therefore using extra energy to fight against this. To reduce the amount of energy you use to heat your home (and therefore save you some money in the long run), you should consider getting new windows to benefit from modern glazing. This is especially important if you have single glazing, as upgrading to double or triple glazing will help your home store much more heat in the winter.
Check the insulation in your home
Similarly, you should ensure that your home is properly insulated if you want to rely on your heating less. Loft insulation and cavity wall insulation can minimize heat exchange between the inside and outside of your home, which keeps your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. This will make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy bills, and in combination with the other tips in this article, it’ll help you look after the environment!