Eco Living: Easy Little Steps to a Greener Home

Being more ecofriendly – and saving your pennies – can be as easy as switching off a light. Check out these 12 ways to make a difference

Sarah Alcroft 15 March 2015

Houzz UK Editorial Team

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Imagine an energy-efficient property and you might think of a new build with lots of whizzy gadgets, rather than the creaking period or midcentury homes many of us live in. But there are plenty of little ways any of us can be a bit greener, not only helping the environment, but our stretched pockets, too. Check out these ways to make tiny changes that can have a positive impact.

by jonathan gooch photography

jonathan gooch photography

Wash a full load
Try to wait until you have a full load of laundry to set the washing machine going (the same applies to dishwashers). If one or two items could do with a pre-wash, but the rest are fine, consider soaking your grubbier garments in the sink first, then throwing everything in for a single wash.

If the clothes aren’t dirty as such, but just need freshening, wash at 30 degrees. However, if you do lots of cool washes, also do the occasional hot wash to prevent bacteria building up in the machine.

Contemporary by Black and Milk | Interior Design | London

Black and Milk | Interior Design | London

Don’t overfill the kettle
In days gone by, it was important to cover the element with water before switching on a kettle. Now, with concealed elements, that’s not an issue, so you can boil only the water you need, even if that’s just a cup.

If you want to go a step further, invest in an eco kettle: choose from models that are a cross between a kettle and a thermos flask, keeping water warmer for longer, to ones that release exact amounts into the boiling chamber from a bigger reservoir, to ones you can set to heat to 80 or 90 degrees, if that’s all you need.

Contemporary Dining Room by 24mm Photography

24mm Photography

Fit energy-saving light bulbs
Energy-saving light bulbs really do live up to their name, using between a quarter and a fifth of the energy of standard ones. They cost more initially, but save in the long run, plus they last 10 to 15 times longer than standard bulbs.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be used to replace standard lightbulbs. According to the Energy Saving Trust, ‘If the average household replaced all of their remaining old-fashioned bulbs, it would cost about £100 and save about £35 a year.’

Bulbs from companies such as Plumen, pictured here, aren’t just energy-saving, they’re decorative, too, and tap into the trend for bare bulbs. But if the light from energy-saving bulbs doesn’t please your eye, take a smaller step and just change ones in lesser-used areas, such as the garage, utility room, under-stairs cupboard or cloakroom.

Discover the beauty of bare bulbs

by Mille Couleurs London

Mille Couleurs London

Switch off
We’re all so connected these days, it’s easy to forget just how much electricity our devices, lighting and appliances use up. So switch off whenever possible. Be aware of how many lights you have on in a room – do you need them all? – and flick them all off when you leave the room for any length of time (having several lamps wired into one switch can help make this an easier task).

A sensor switch is a good idea for any external lights, so they’re not blazing away unnecessarily, but can spring to life when you need to slot your key in the lock or put the rubbish out. Also switch off your computer: it doesn’t take that long to switch it on again, and it creates the perfect space for you to make a cuppa.

Leaving all of an average household’s appliances and devices, from the TV and digital top box to a phone charger and answering machine, on standby can cost roughly £70 a year. Why not invest in an inexpensive smart socket that can be set to turn off your electricals? Some can enable you to switch appliances on and off from your phone, so you can remotely set a load of washing going, say, in off-peak hours – helpful if you are on an economy tariff that means you pay less at off-peak times.

Finally, turning down your thermostat one degree can save up to 10% off your annual heating bill – and you get to wear that Christmas jumper more often.

Contemporary Bedroom by Millar Howard Workshop

Millar Howard Workshop

Line your curtains
It goes without saying that curtains are better at conserving heat than blinds, but lining them in thermal fabric is a double whammy and can really make a difference.

Also consider sliding inexpensive reflective panels behind radiators, which reflect the heat back on to the radiator – they’re cheap and invisible once in place.

Contemporary Bathroom by Chantel Elshout Studio

Chantel Elshout Studio

Fix dripping taps
We tend to imagine we have unlimited supplies of water in the UK (the brolly is virtually a national symbol, after all), but in many areas this is not the case, plus our tap water all needs costly processing. A dripping tap can waste an alarming 12 to 20 litres of water a day, and having a new washer fitted is fairly painless. It’s a good way to help the environment and, if you’re on a meter, your pocket, too.

In hot weather, keep a jug of water in the fridge rather than running the tap until it’s cold each time you want a drink, for another good way to save water.

Eclectic by stowed

Upcycle old furniture
There are plenty of examples on Houzz of brilliantly upcycled furniture – and for good reason. Not only can these pieces offer unique style, they save you money, avoid adding to landfill or recycling costs, and cut down on the huge amount of energy it takes to make new products. Plus you get to be creative with paint or wallpaper, which is always fun.

The next best thing is to buy second-hand or source furniture made from recycled materials or FSC-certified timber.

Browse 9 inspiring upcycling ideas

Coastal House Exterior by Highpoint Home Decor LLC

Highpoint Home Decor LLC

Switch to green energy
Switch to a renewable energy supplier and every time you flick on the kettle or power up your computer, you can feel happy knowing the energy has been generated by wind, water or sunshine.

There are several companies that supply the National Grid with clean energy, and switching is super-easy. Some have a tool on their website that allows you to compare your current bills with the green energy equivalent, so you can make an informed decision.

Garden Shed and Building by User

Spruce up your home naturally
Natural cleaning products are much better for the environment and, in many cases, do the job just as well as their chemical cousins. There are plenty of tips for using the likes of baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar to clean everything from your windows to the oven online. Or, if time is super-short, buy from a range of ready-made natural products.

Similarly, natural paints are kind to the environment and your health. Check they are VOC (volatile organic compound)-free, as some paints are labelled ‘eco’ with only a reduced VOC content. There is no set standard for ‘eco’ paints, so read the label or visit the company’s website to ascertain ingredients if you’re unsure.

Contemporary Entrance by COUPDEVILLE

Banish draughts
Take a look at your door edges: can you see daylight or feel a draught? If so, it’s worth investing in that unsung hero – the padded draught excluder. An easy-to-apply strip that can be stuck around any door frame, it can cut draughts hugely, reducing your heating bill. Think about excluders at the bottom of doors, too – you can buy brush strips if fabric rolls aren’t your style.

Modern Home Office by Custom Desk

Recycle electronics
In the market for a new laptop, computer or phone? Don’t just ditch your old one – recycle it. If there’s still life in your computer, consider contacting Computer Aid International, which cleans IT equipment and sends it to hospitals and schools in developing countries. If it’s not suitable, some companies will recycle computers, or contact your local council.

Also consider investing in rechargeable batteries and a small charger for frequently used electrical items, such as radios. If you do have disposable alkaline batteries, which contain toxic heavy metals, make sure you recycle them so they don’t end up in landfill.

Garden by Laara Copley-Smith Design

Laara Copley-Smith Design

Buy locally produced food
It takes a huge amount of energy to get food from a farm to your table, so buy locally – or at least nationally – as much as possible. It’s nice to think you’re helping local growers, too.

Local produce often has reduced packaging, as it doesn’t need to be as protected, and, if you buy seasonally, it’s likely to be fresher and more packed with flavour. Seasonal fruit and veg is often cheaper, too, as the produce is in plentiful supply.

TELL US…
Have you taken steps to be more ecofriendly? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.

Comments (7)

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Sarah Alcroft

Good point, charliesgrace - and good to hear LEDs have made such a big difference to your bill

1 Like 16 March 2015 at 10:29am

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User

It would be a joy to see the previous barn conversion post on this week's page take up some of the suggestions in this post! If my info is correct, that "hot tub"[?] I see outside the barn's basement extravaganza is definitely an ecological compromise. It's good to see links between posts on Houzz...keeps us thinking, and aware. Thank you!

Like 18 March 2015 at 9:10am

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PRO

MostynCooper

Its a shame i think that one of the main ways to save energy is not to allow lime scale to build up in the hot and cold water systems in the first place. Most people are unaware that lime scale is an amazing insulator, which really isn’t what you want on your heating elements! Over 60% of the UK population is in a hard or very hard water area which means they’ve probably got a minimum of 3-5mm of lime scale in their system (1mm=10% increase in energy consumption, 2mm=20% and so on : British Water), think how much energy we could save if this lime scale was removed or never allowed to accumulate! and that’s without all the savings on chemicals, time, etc. The Ecosoft Water Conditioner is the best solution to this problem, it’s entirely sustainable, uses no power or chemicals, removes existing and prevents future limescale, all for a one off cost - as it never needs replacing. Check it out at www.ecosoftwater.co.uk . Cheers.

1 Like 25 March 2015 at 5:35pm

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