Home improvement tips for the eco-conscious

Your home is your very own special haven where it’s important that you feel comfortable and are able to enjoy spending time with family and friends. Most people like to personalise their living space to reflect their lifestyle, and there are always little things that you can do to make improvements, as well as major makeovers when appropriate. Here are five tips to help you make the most of your personal space and still protect the environment from damaging interventions.

1. Wood flooring

There are fewer homes today fitted with wall-to-wall carpeting. More and more families are choosing hard floors instead. From a health point of view, this has many advantages as carpets tend to trap dust mites, to which some people are allergic, as well as dirt, plus keeping them clean by vacuuming means using electricity. Hard floors, on the other hand, can be washed, swept using best floor steamers or polished to keep them clean – the trick is to know which materials are the greenest in terms of environmental impact. Among the most popular choices are floors made from reclaimed or recycled wood, cork or bamboo, which are sustainable sources.

2. Windows and doors 

Heat loss from your home is often caused by a lack of adequate insulation as well as inefficient windows and doors. Loft and wall insulation will help a great deal as heat tends to disappear through the roof, and this is not good for you or the environment. Double glazing on your windows will reduce draughts, retain heat and let in plenty of light. Adding wooden shutters will add to the efficiency of your window openings. Forest-friendly window shutters come in a wide range of styles and finishes and will give you added protection from external noise as well as energy leakage. They can be made to measure and are easy to install.

3. Renewable energy

This may be the most important way in which you and your home can have a positive impact on the environment. While it’s not the cheapest option, it is a worthwhile long-term investment. Installing geothermal heat pumps, solar panels or wind turbines will mean that you can lead a greener life and also reduce your energy bills. Even if you can’t afford an expensive large-scale installation, remember that it’s possible to fit reduced solar panel systems that will support, for example, water heating, or with even smaller systems, battery recharging, so you don’t have to use mains electricity for your rechargeable batteries and other smaller devices.

4. Appliances

Domestic appliances have come a long way since the early old-fashioned electric kettles, refrigerators and washing machines. Today, you can get energy-efficient replacements that will save you money and use less power in your household. In addition, if you’re unable to access renewable energy, some energy companies offer good deals when it comes to tariffs, and even weekend days when your electricity, say, is free between 9am and 5pm. It stands to reason that on these days, you can use your efficient appliances to take care of household jobs such as washing, ironing and vacuuming, which means that you will use your appliances less during the week, thus saving energy and money. Also, don’t forget the simple but important trick of turning off appliances when not in use, rather than leaving them on standby.

5. Water waste

Older homes in the UK (pre-1980s) used a considerable amount of water for simple tasks such as flushing a toilet – approximately five litres as opposed to a modern convenience’s 1.28 litres. You’ve probably tried or adapted the “brick in the cistern” idea already, and this may well have helped you to reduce water waste. Another more effective solution, however, is to consider how water circulates in your home and how a greywater system would be of benefit. Greywater is water that you use for laundry, taking a shower or washing dishes. It may contain a little detergent but no human waste, and you will need to connect a small greywater tank to your system. Remember also that rainwater is free and easy to collect and that you can use it for watering your indoor plants and your lawn during dry spells.

Finally, you’re probably familiar with the drive to recycle anything and everything, especially plastics, paper, cardboard, glass and food waste. In addition, there’s now a movement focused on reusing and upcycling household furniture, artefacts, clothing and accessories. These practices are hallmarks of an eco-conscious home, and “make do and mend” has never been so relevant.