A Guide For Eco-Conscious Homeowners in 2021

Sustainable Living

Mar 9

Everyone is aware of climate change and how important it is to reduce our carbon footprint. It’s becoming increasingly evident that if we do not start doing things to lower our carbon emissions, we will have caused irreversible damage to our planet. Although many of us are unsure of what changes we can make, there are some that have already started looking into ways to be more eco-friendly. In fact, the current generation – Generation Z – are some of the most eco-conscious people in 2021, being dubbed as ‘generation green’.

So, if you’re looking to become an eco-conscious homeowner or even a renter, then this guide will help you out.

Turn It Off

One of the simplest and easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint and become a little more

eco-friendly is by turning things off, whether that’s your lights when you walk out of a room, your plug sockets when they aren’t in use or even unplugging appliances that you aren’t using. This is a small, simple act that you can start implementing right away. Not only will it help to lower your energy bills, but it will also significantly reduce your carbon emissions.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is slowly growing in popularity and can be a very cost-effective way to

reduce your carbon footprint. Some prime examples of renewable energy sources include:

 Solar Panels

 Wind Turbines

 Biomass Boilers

 Air Source Heat Pumps

 Ground Source Heat Pumps

Although some renewable energy has a high initial cost, they do pay for themselves within a few years. Depending on where you live, you may also be able to benefit from a government grant. Having a renewable energy source can save you up to 68% on your heating bill.

Good Insulation

Having good insulation inside your home is a necessity if you want to keep your house warm when it’s cold and cold when it’s warm. Did you know that you lose up to 10% of your heat from poorly insulated floors and up to two thirds of your heat from poorly insulated walls? This means much higher energy bills. Improve your insulation and you are well on your way to becoming a little more eco-friendly.

Oil Storage

Did you know that around 1.6 million UK households use oil for central heating and hot water? This is because they aren’t connected to the national gas network. If you’re looking for a cheaper – and environmentally friendly – alternative for your oil storage, then it might be worth investing in a bunded oil tank; these are crafted to prevent any spills that could damage the environment, and they are a durable solution for fuel storage.

Water Conservation

Collecting rainwater is great for the environment, as it allows you to reduce your consumption and also cut down on energy usage. By installing a water harvesting system, you could save on your water bill as the water collected can be used for flushing toilets, watering your garden and even washing your car. Keep a lookout for water saving appliances too, such as dishwashers and washing machines. All these little steps will go towards helping you to become a more eco-conscious person and homeowner.

Reduce Food Waste

Research shows that households waste around 4.5 million tons of food every year. The majority of this wasted food ends up on landfill sites across the country, releasing huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. However, if you were to start reducing this, you would end up limiting the amount of food going to landfill. There are a few simple ways you can reduce food waste; create your own compost, reuse plastic containers, and only buy the food you know you are going to eat.

Recycle More

Now more than ever, companies are starting to use recycled goods for their products. The plastic packaging we find most groceries in can now be recycled to use again. But that’s not all we can recycle; reusing wood from your garden to make a table or chair is a good way to reuse something that, if left, would just rot. The best part about reusing items like wood is that it looks good no matter where you have it. Reusing wood inside your home also helps to preserve forests and prevent over-forestation. You can recreate many unique items from recycled materials.

Build An Off-Grid Home

Some people, especially the younger generation, are opting to build their own off-grid homes as a means to lower their environmental impact. Some homeowners may just implement green practices, as mentioned above, while others go a step further and actually create their own homes by converting vans or used shipping containers into green living spaces. Hotels are even starting to do the same thing, as well some shopping centres or art galleries. Not only is this trend environmentally beneficial – by reducing the amount of waste from unwanted shipping containers, for instance – but it also looks very stylish for those wanting something a bit more unique for their home. It could also be a cheaper alternative for those trying to get on the property ladder.

Final thoughts

Of course, this guide highlights just some of the ways that you can go green, but even if you take away just one of these tips, you’ll still be making a difference to our environment.

Moving to a new home? Check out this resource to see how you can lessen the environmental footprint of your upcoming move.