Striving to live a more environmentally friendly life is admirable. There are serious concerns surrounding the longevity of planet earth, and being more eco-friendly is fast becoming more of a necessity than ever before.
If you are looking to live a more environmentally-conscious life, there is a lot you can do. Here are five home changes for an eco-friendlier and, therefore, more sustainable property.
1. Upgrade the Insulation
One of the best things you can do for both your bank balance and the environment is to take a good and thorough look at your wall, attic, and floor insulation throughout the building.
Specifically, look for cracks, tears, and holes, especially those with draught coming through the holes. If you are competent in such matters, you could look into replacing or repairing the insulation yourself, although hiring a professional is usually preferable.
2. Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are the most useful example of smart home technology and are also considerably safer than you may first think.
Essentially, smart thermostats allow you to control when and in what room the central heating and radiators switch on, to what temperature, and for however long you prefer, meaning you are far more in control of how much money you are spending on energy.
Even more importantly, investing in an affordable yet effective smart thermostat will also serve to help drastically reduce your personal carbon footprint.
3. Aluminum Features
Aluminum is widely purported to be one of the eco-friendliest, sustainable materials of them all, making it the perfect choice for anything from design focal points throughout the home.
Internal aluminum folding doors from Now Aluminium, for example, will not only make for an environmentally friendly addition to your property but will also seamlessly create a journey from the indoors to the outdoors aesthetically and are also durable and strong.
Furthermore, make a concerted effort to look into other sustainable materials to use in home décor and renovations in the future.
4. Solar Panels
For those homeowners who have the budget and inclination to make a huge change to how their property functions and, indeed, vastly reduce the amount of non-renewable energy they use, the addition of solar panels on the roof could not be a finer choice.
There are lots of benefits of solar panels, not least their sustainable nature, which include:
- A reduction in your monthly energy bills
- A return on your initial investment
- An independent energy source
- A modern and simplified exterior aesthetic
5. Choose Paint with a Low VOC
Finally, when planning a smaller and more localized home renovation, even little details, such as the type of paint you choose can negatively or positively affect the environment.
Always look at the label of any tin of paint you buy and ensure that it has a low VOC guarantee, essentially meaning that there are fewer Volatile Organic Compounds in the mix. Such compounds are found in a wide variety of tools, materials, and products and can release harmful chemicals into the environment.
