Being more eco-friendly will not only help you contribute to a sustainable environment but it can even save you money. Here are 7 ways to improve the mechanical and electrical engineering of your home, and make it a more eco-friendly place.
Get serious about water
When we consider the word ‘sustainability’ we often consider that it only relates to energy consumption. But being truly eco-friendly means taking a holistic approach, so you’ll need to get serious about saving water. For example, you should ensure that you don’t run the tap when you brush your teeth or shave. It’s also a good idea to choose a low-flow shower-head in our Design Studio – these have been shown to save up to 160,000 liters of water for a family of four.
Install a smart meter
Heating your home is one of the biggest ways that you use energy. And it can be very easy, especially during the winter months, to leave your heating on for longer than you strictly need it. This can lead to a lot of both wasted energy and wasted money. The best way to combat this is to have a smart meter installed. Smart meters can be programmed so that they only turn on at certain times of the day – for example, beginning to heat up just before you get home, and shutting off an hour or so before you leave the house.
Energy efficient light bulbs
Investing in the right lightbulbs is an important part of creating an eco-friendly home. Energy efficient light bulbs have been around for a long time, but it really has taken a significant amount of time for many people to come around to the idea. Ultimately, though, it really makes a lot of sense to make the switch. Not only do energy efficient bulbs use less electricity, they also last longer, which means you don’t have to spend money replacing them.
Install solar panels
Solar panels are an essential feature for any eco home. Providing you with completely clean electricity, they can sometimes even make enough energy to allow you to sell some back to the grid. Solar panels are certainly a long-term investment and it has been suggested that it will take around 20 years for you to break even, depending on where you live. But remember this is not just a monetary investment – it’s an investment in the earth!
Embrace natural cleaning products
Using harmful chemicals to clean is very bad for the environment. When you wash them away you are simply putting them into the water supply. That means water will take more purification before it is safe to use again. But the good news is that in the majority of cases you really don’t need to use them. For most day-to-day cleaning tasks, natural products like vinegar, citric acid from citrus fruits and baking soda can be used in place of caustic chemicals to great effect.
Create your own compost
Don’t waste your kitchen scraps and leftover food – turn them into compost. You would be surprised how much of the food that you currently throw away can be recycled and turned into compost. Simply place a compost bin in your garden and fill it with any food waste.
Buy recycled
It’s a good idea to try to buy recycled products whenever you can. This can include everything from toilet tissue to kitchen roll. Whenever you notice that there is a recycled option available to buy, it’s worth purchasing it. Not only can you buy recycled paper, but you can also buy recycled technology like mobile phones, gaming consoles and more.
If you’re looking for a brand new home with all the best amenities, look no further than The Reserve at Glen Loch, At Judd Builders we build many wonderful communities that fit the needs to today’s homebuyers. If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to contact our sales team!