When it comes to home makeovers, most people think about throwing away old things, including furniture, and buying new ones, a move that will not just cost money but also lead to accumulating a lot of waste materials. Instead of replacing things for the sake of it, a better move would be to make the switch to a more eco-friendly home.
In fact, The Guardian reported that the UK government is already making a move to recognise the importance of eco-retrofitting. So with that in mind, this article provides some tips that you can follow to give your home an environmentally friendly makeover
Opt for environmentally friendly lighting and appliances
One of the simplest moves that you can do to cut back on your carbon footprint is to switch to Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs). While a bit more expensive than traditional light bulbs, She Knows says they use only a third of the energy. Furthermore, they last longer; being able to function for at least five years before they need to be replaced.
Another environmentally friendly move you can opt for is to switch to solar power. Solar panels are a bit expensive, but you will almost immediately see the impact of your investment when you see your electricity bill at the end of the month.
If you have the budget, you can explore switching your old appliances to more energy-efficient devices. Compared to those made several years ago, a lot of modern day electrical gadgets only need a fraction of the power to carry out their tasks. This will allow you to save money and minimise your energy consumption.
Provide proper insulation to your home
Better insulation can help you cut back on your heating bills. Just make sure to use insulation made from environmentally friendly and formaldehyde-free materials. For instance, there are some made from recycled materials, including denim jeans, believe it or not.
Another method that you can follow to improve your home’s insulation is to caulk all your windows. By doing this you will also help keep the heat from escaping your home.
Paint your walls
An easy way to give your home a fresh new look is to give the walls a fresh lick of paint. The right colour can make your home look bigger or can help spruce up your garden fence, adding a new dynamic to your backyard.
In keeping up with your move to be more eco-friendly, make sure to check the label to see if the paint you’re considering purchasing contains toxic ingredients, regardless of whether you plan on using it for indoor or outdoor use. Thankfully, manufacturers are also taking steps to produce paints that are less harmful to the environment. Screwfix list a variety of fence paint that’s odor-free, made from non-toxic materials, and adhere to environmental standards.
Re-upholster your old furniture
Instead of throwing away your old furniture, consider breathing new life into them by reupholstering them as long as they haven’t been severely damaged over the years. Not only will this cost significantly less, you will also be able to minimise the amount of things you will be throwing away.
Aside from re-upholstering old furniture, you can also look to make small changes to fixtures and fittings around the house. For instance, if the hinges on your cabinets are on their last legs, you can simply replace them with new parts instead of purchasing entirely new furniture.
Use reclaimed wood as flooring
If you need to replace your flooring at home, Organic 4 Green Livings recommends shopping for reclaimed wood, which is essentially recycled wood, so you won’t contribute to the increasing amount of trees that are being cut down each year.
If you need to dispose of any household waste such as white goods, furniture or garden waste, Enviro Waste can help. We recycle 92% of the waste we collect. For a free quote give us a call on 020 3051 3314.
