Going Green In Your Home

In recent years, the pressure of “going green” has become a pressing global concern. The impact of carbon dioxide created from fossil fuels along with wasteful consumption of natural resources continues to affect the planet. Many big businesses have taken initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint; the focus is on developing products that use recycled materials where possible and produce as little CO2 emission in manufacturing and production. However, many important changes can be made by individuals in the home. Some take very little effort, but can make a big difference.

Recycle Everything

Recycling is perhaps the easiest and most popular way of going green. Many councils will collect plastic, tin, paper and even food for recycling. It is as simple as separating waste before it goes in the bin. Recycling drastically cuts down on household waste being buried in landfills and it is an excellent way of conserving the environment.

Energy Saving Light Bulbs and Shower Heads

Of course, conserving energy in the home is an excellent way to go green. Turning off lights and electrical appliances when they are not in use not only conserves energy, but can drastically cut down the prices of energy bills. Energy saving light bulbs can also make a contribution; they are still bright and effective, but use considerably lower energy. There are also energy saving shower heads, which produce less pressure and use less hot water.

Wireless Meters

Installing a wireless home energy monitor is an excellent way to see how much energy a household is using. The easy to use device attaches to the electricity meter and produces a readout of how much electricity is being used and what it is costing per hour. It can be a real eye-opener to how much the average household is spending when just a few electrical devices and light bulbs are left on, and it can encourage more practical energy use.

Grow your Own

Amateur horticulture has really taken off in recent years. Many people now grow their own vegetables and fruit in their gardens at home. It may take a little bit of effort, but it is much cheaper than buying organic fruit from the supermarket and you are guaranteed that the food you are eating is fresh and free of pesticides. While everyone may not have a big garden to grow vegetables, window ledge boxes can be used to grow herbs and spices, or community allotments (which have seen a surge in popularity in recent years).

Solar Panels

Many new build houses are being constructed with solar panel heating, and it is easy to see why. Even on overcast days, well positioned solar panels can absorb enough sunlight to heat up to 50% of a household’s hot water. They can be used in addition to traditional boiler systems to contribute toward a households heating requirements. Although they may seem like a costly investment at first, solar panels can save money on energy bills in the long-run and are an excellent way of using natural resources to produce energy.

This post was written by Michael Turner, an enthusiast in home improvement, technology and design on behalf of Inlec, a test equipment hire specialist.