Believe it or not, building an eco-friendly house from renewable materials isn’t the only way to go green. That’s right, even the smallest changes like arranging boiler maintenance or fixing leaking taps can save you money and protect the environment, so there’s no need to shop for wind turbines or solar panels just yet.
Use energy-saving light bulbs
If you didn’t already know, most incandescent light bulbs have now been banned. Retailers are no longer allowed to sell 100W, 60W, 40W or 25W products of this kind in a bid to save 39 terawatt- hours of electricity a year across the European Union (EU) by 2020. Alternatives such as compact fluorescents, halogens and LEDs are both long-lasting and friendlier on the environment, so if you haven’t already made the switch – do it today. They might take a while to get used to as they tend to be slightly dimmer, but they are far more cost-effective.
Update your appliances
Heating is one of the biggest expenses a family has to face. Therefore why not consider updating your boiler? Replacing an old, gas system with an A-rated condensing boiler could save you hundreds of pounds a year and reduce your carbon footprint. Sure, you’ll have to splash out for a new model initially, but you could soon reap the rewards. Similarly, if your house is filled with outdated gadgets, it might be worth investing in some new appliances. All electronic products sold in the EU after 2010 cannot have a standby power greater than one watt and many have standby savers – reducing the amount of power you use.
Use your heating sparingly
It might be cold outside at the moment, but there’s no need to turn your house into a sauna – particularly if you’re at work for most of the day. If your new year’s resolution is to go green, start by setting your heating timers accordingly and avoid warming your home when you’re not around. Programmers can always be readjusted to suit your needs, but it’s definitely worth making the most of your controls to save energy. If you tend to spend most of your time in one room, try to keep all doors and windows closed so you have a warm space to relax in. All vacant or disused rooms should be locked and radiators turned off so heat isn’t wasted.
Protect your water pipes
Cold weather can cause water pipes to crack and burst. This is not good for your bank balance or the environment, so think about lagging your water system. Insulating materials such as foam tubes and British Standard jackets for hot water cylinders can be bought from many home stores and help to lock warm air inside the pipes. If your waterworks are damaged or a little on the old side, it’s worth getting them replaced and homeowners should consider plumbing cover in case of an emergency.
There are many ways to go green, so do what suits you and start looking after the planet.
Author Bio: DIY Newbie – The place for DIY novices who want to become DIY Pro’s!. Blogging in many niches since 2004.
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