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Did you know that 20 percent of the UK’s greenhouse emissions come from domestic housing? This statistic would suggest that the key to helping the environment starts in our own homes. By making a few simple changes to be more eco-friendly, we can have a positive impact on our environment. Viessmann provides insights in to how you can work toward having a home with net-zero emissions. Today I will discuss a few simple changes you can make to make your home more environmentally friendly and also save money on your energy bills.
Use Less Water
Although it may sound difficult, there are actually a lot of ways to use less water. You can take showers instead of baths. Shower times may be used to decrease your time in the shower and save water. You can also refrain from running water while brushing your teeth, shaving and washing your face.
Interestingly, using your dishwasher is another way to save money. Newer dishwashers actually use less water in a cycle than washing your dishes by hand. You can also save water by having a washing that can sense your load of laundry and only use the amount of water you need for the close your are washing.
And if you want to go the extra mile, you can install a smart wastewater collection system, which takes rainwater from the roof and stores it in tanks, which are plumbed into your home and used when you flush toilets, wash clothes and water the garden.
Replace Your Lightbulbs
Replacing your lightbulbs with LED bulbs in an easy and inexpensive way to save energy in your home. LED bulbs also last longer, so once you’ve gone through your entire home replacing bulbs, you shouldn’t have to buy lightbulbs again for a long time.
Buy New Appliances
The most obvious way to save energy in your home is to invest in newer technology for all your appliances. We recently replaced our old heat pump and replaced it with a new one. We have been amazed at how much cooler our home has been this summer. (I find myself turning the our central unit up, because we are too cold!) And we already see the energy savings in our electricity bill.
If you can afford it, it also worth it get new washers and dryers, dish washers and refrigerators. They not only use less energy, but they generally work better. Even replacing those old small appliances with new eco-friendly models can be helpful. (You can also unplug small appliances when they are not in use, in order to conserve energy.)
Windows and Doors
If you have room in your budget, investing in new windows can help you save on your heating and cooling bills. If this investment is not possible for you, there are other ways you can improve your existing windows to save energy. You can purchase indoor window insulator kits; this basically puts a clear film on your windows and helps to better insulate your home. And you use room darkening or light filtering blinds and blackout curtains. Both of these can help keep your home cooler in summer and insulate your home during the winter. Additionally having good windows can allow you to strategically use natural light during the day in order to use less electricity. Having energy efficient exterior doors can help in the same way.
Conclusion
Reducing your energy consumption is easy when your start small with a few lifestyle changes. And then you can slowly make investments in various areas of your home to save energy and work toward a zero-emissions home.
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