Here are some free (or very cheap) ways to be eco-conscious in the home.
Save energy
· Switch off lights when not in use.
· Use energy-saving lightbulbs – just one can save up to £100 over the life of the bulb, and they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary bulbs.
· Turn the heating down – doing this by 1ºC can save up to £30 per year.
· Draw curtains at night to prevent heat loss through windows.
· Turn appliances such as the TV off rather than on standby – this could save you up to £11 per year.
· Unplug chargers when you’ve finished with them, such as those for mobile phones.
· Only boil as much water as you need in the kettle.
· Try to use the washing machine and dishwasher only when full.
· Put lids on saucepans and use the correctly sized ring to match the size of the pan.
· Ensure curtains or furniture aren’t blocking radiators.
· Don’t leave the fridge door open for longer than necessary – for every 1 minute left open, it takes 3 minutes to cool the fridge down again, which uses more energy.
· Dry your clothes naturally, either outside or on a clothes airer.
· Switch to a green energy supplier – see an independent comparison site such as uSwitch.
Save water
· Don’t leave the tap running while brushing your teeth, washing or shaving.
· Wash fruit and vegetables in a bowl rather than under the tap.
· Reduce the flow of water from your taps by installing a flow-reducing device.
· Try to wait until your dishwasher is full – half-load programmes use proportionately more water.
· Take a shower rather than a bath – five minutes in the shower will use about 65% less than a bath, but a power shower will use more water than a bath in less than five minutes.
· Adapt your toilet flushing habits – typically, 25% of household water is flushed down the toilet. As the saying goes, ‘if it’s brown, flush it down, if it’s yellow, let it mellow’!
· On traditional toilet cisterns, install a water-saving device (known as ‘hippos’) to reduce flush volume – these cost around £2, or free with some water boards, and they save around three litres per flush.
· Fix any dripping taps – this can save up to 4 litres of water a day (dripping hot taps will also waste energy).
Reduce, reuse and recycle
· Buy only what you need when shopping.
· Don’t buy products with unnecessary packaging.
· Find out what your local council recycles and whether they provide a collection service. Then sort your recyclable waste – usually glass, plastic, paper, tin - ready for collection or to take to a recycling point.
· Reuse items such as paper, jars, carrier bags and envelopes where possible.
· Say no to junk mail – sign up for the Mailing Preference Service.
· Consider recycling clothes and shoes – either take to a charity shop or find out if there are any local clothes recycling points.
· Try not to throw furniture away – sell it or give it away to someone who needs it.
· Consider buying second-hand clothes and furniture.
· Use rechargeable batteries – they cost more initially but save money in the long run.
Go green-fingered
· Encourage wildlife in your garden or terrace by planting trees and shrubs and installing bird-boxes.
· Grow your own food – even a small vegetable patch could save you money and help the environment.
· Create a compost heap or bin to recycle garden and kitchen waste for use in your garden.
· Buy a rainwater butt to use in the garden – these cost from around £20.
Say no to chemicals
· Try to use natural products in the home, such as cleaning products, fabrics and furniture.
· Buy organic food where possible – they are chemical-free and are grown in harmony with nature.
For more information, contact:
The Energy Saving Trust, Friends of the Earth, Green and Easy, Green Choices, and the Recycling Guide.
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By Sarah Speight
This article was published on 5 April 2007