Everyday Eco Friendly Living at Home

Get more information on the little things you can do in your everyday life...

There are lots of:

• improvements you can make to your home, to make it more energy efficient


• eco-friendly products and furniture you can buy


• eco-friendly products and paints to decorate with

…but there is also lots you can do every day in your own home, to really improve your eco friendly living credentials…

Remember, that even a small change, or a tiny effort, in the direction of more eco friendly living can make a big difference…

So, gradually, just do what little bits you can, and feel proud that you can be counted amongst those who care enough to make a difference…

1. Energy Saving

   Energy saving and energy efficiency is definitely one of the cornerstones of sustainable eco friendly living.

   Try some of the changes recommended for saving energy in the eco friendly house.

   Easy and cheap ways to save energy are:

   • Turn your heating down by 1 degree.
   • Fit a magnetic conditioner to your boiler to save up to 20% on your heating bills.
   • Turn lights off when not in use
   • Use candles instead, for romantic evening lights
   • Make the most of natural light by using large mirrors in dark rooms, to bounce light around your room. Also pull curtains and blinds well back from your windows.
   • Use energy saving lightbulbs - these can last up to 10 times longer than traditional lightbulbs.
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   • Use standby energy saving kits. These plug into your existing electrical equipment, and the device stops the energy drain that normally happens whilst your TV and AV equipment is on standby. This is a great product for eco friendly living, and can really save a lot of energy.

   I found the best products and deals at Amazon.com – take a look at my recommended products:

   (Simply click on the images for more information…)
   
   
   

   
   
   
   
   • Also, consider buying an electricity usage monitor.

     This shows you exactly how much electricity you are using and encourages you to consider whether your usage is really necessary.

     You will probably be really surprised by exactly how much you use, without even realising it…

   It’s worth buying one just to see…. Again, I found the best deals at Amazon.com. My recommended products:

   (Simply click on the images for more information…)
   
   
   





• Have you got the best deal on your energy supply?

  The average household could save £325 on their energy bills if they changed supplier...

  Take a few minutes to check on a price comparison website, to check you've still got the best deal!

2. Conserve Water

   • In these days of water shortages, it is seriously not cool to waste water. Conserving water is a very important factor in eco friendly living.
   • Take showers rather than baths.
   • Use watering cans rather than hosepipes, outside.
   • Conserve rainwater in water butts.
   • Use bath water and washing up water to water the garden.
   • Use drip irrigation systems, in your garden.
   • Plant drought tolerant plants in your garden.

3. Recycle

   • Recycle the waste from your home as much as possible, rather than just sending it all to land fill.
   • Many councils have kerbside collections for some, if not all, recyclable waste from your home.
   • If not, there are communal recycling points at tips and landfill sites, as well as in car parks, and at supermarkets.
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   • Products you might be able to recycle:
     • glass
     • plastics
     • tin cans and tin foils
     • cardboard and paper
   • You should also think about how disposing of the following products could bring more eco friendly living ideas into your life and home…
     • Furniture - can you sell it on eBay? Donate it to charity?
     • Textiles and Clothes - look out for charity collection points for textiles, clothes and shoes
     • Mobile phones - these can be collected by charities, for use in developing countries
     • Spectacles - these can be collected by charities, for use by people in need
     • Printer Cartridges - these can often be refilled with ink. Save money by refilling them yourself, or give to charities who collect them
   
   
   
   
   • Compostable Waste - some councils make separate collections for compostable and garden waste.

     If you have the space, it is an excellent idea for eco friendly living to create your own compost bin.

     In a few months, you could end up with lovely rich compost to use on your own garden.

   • Plastic Bags - re-use supermarket plastic bags for shopping, or as bin liners.




4. Sustainable Eco Friendly Living

   • Choose locally grown fruit and veg, from local farmers markets.
   • This cuts down on energy wasted on transport, as well as supporting your local economy.
   • Better still, grow your own tasty vegetables in your own garden.
   • Go chemical free for your health, and for the environment, and enjoy organic food free, from your own garden.
   • Home grown always tastes best, and you will get such satisfaction from growing your own.

5. Reduce Chemicals in your Eco Friendly Home

   • Reduce the amount of chemicals that you use in your home every day…
   • Choose natural and organic:
     • paints and decorating products
     • cleaning products – I like ‘Ecover’ products
     • washing products – again, I use ‘Ecover’ and detergent free washing balls
     • air fresheners
     • toiletries

6. Don’t waste petrol

   • Avoid unnecessary car journeys to save petrol.
   • This is particularly relevant for saving money at the moment too, as oil and petrol prices go up and up.
   • Walk short trips, or take public transport.
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   • Fit a magnetic conditioner to your car. This helps your petrol or diesel burn more efficiently:
     
     • you use less
     • the fuel burns more cleanly
     • you get better performance from your car
     • it produces less pollution
   • I think this is a great energy saver and money saver, with great eco friendly credentials too!

There are lots of little ways that you can bring eco friendly living into your every day life…

Watch these short video clips for lots more eco friendly ideas...

Simply click on an image to start the video player...

Use the slider on the right hand side of the video player to access the full range of clips on this subject...

Hover over the bottom-right of the player to access the slider function.

Try some or all of these ways …. Whatever you find easiest or most convenient, and feel proud of helping to stop climate change, being environmentally friendly, in however small a way…

Click here for more information about energy efficiency and eco friendly living

Click here for more information about choosing eco-friendly products in interior design

Click here for more information about decorating with eco-friendly products

Return to the main page for the eco friendly house

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