By now, we are all well aware of the impact of global warming and climate change on our planet. Perhaps you feel the urge to do something and change your lifestyle each time you watch a documentary on the environment. Maybe you’ve been planting trees in your area or taking part in activities held to raise awareness. Or, maybe you want to do something but aren’t sure where to start or how to find the time to do it. The good news is that reducing your impact on the environment does not have to be as difficult as it can sound, and there are several areas in your home where you can make positive changes to the environment and live an eco-friendlier lifestyle.

Purchase Eco-Friendly Furniture

If you are buying new furniture for your home, like most people you may be drawn more towards the best prices, which tend to be mass-produced products. However, while this might be kinder to your bank account, it is harmful to the environment. A lot of the wood that is used to make cheap, mass-produced furniture comes from illegal logging activity and continuing to purchase these products creates a ready market. On the other hand, spending a little more for locally produced furniture items that have been created with the environment in mind will ensure that you’re able to furnish your house guilt-free.

Use Recycled Materials for Projects

If you need building materials for a project around your home, consider using those that are made from recycled materials. Many building supplies today are made from products that were destined for landfill, such as composite decking for your outdoor space, which you can get made from up to 95% recycled products such as hardwood sawdust and recycled plastic items. Ecoscape building supplies are sustainable and eco-friendly. Whether you are looking for new cladding, fence panels, or deck boards for your outdoor space, Ecoscape UK offers products that are made from mostly recycled materials and are designed to avoid landfills from taking on even more rubbish.

Use Renewable Energy

Another ideal way to improve your eco-friendliness at home and reduce your regular expenses is to have solar panels installed on your home. With solar panels, you can take advantage of natural energy from the sun to power your home, which will not cost you a penny. Solar panels are a natural and renewable way of powering a home and you may even be able to make a profit from them by collecting and storing energy that you can sell to the grid. While the upfront costs of solar panels can be high, they will quickly begin to pay for themselves with the amount of energy that you will save money on. And, many homeowners can take advantage of government initiatives for cheaper solar panels to encourage more renewable energy use across the country.

Conserve Water

Do you know how much water you are using each day? Chances are that you might be using more water than is necessary. Maybe you leave the tap running when you are brushing your teeth, or wash the dishes multiple times per day rather than filling up the dishwasher for one larger load. If you have a garden, how much water are you using for your plants and where it is coming from? Think about your water usage and any changes that you could make to conserve more water, such as using water limiters on your toilet when flushing, timing your showers, or shutting the tap off when you are brushing your teeth. In your garden, collecting rainwater to water your plants and crops rather than using mains water is another great way to save.

Upgrade Your Boiler

If the combi boiler in your home is over ten years old, chances are that it is no longer as energy efficient as it once was. Not only do older boilers use more power to heat your home and water, but they are also more prone to problems and breaking down, which can end up costing you more than a replacement over time. If your boiler is over ten years old, it is a good idea to replace it even if you haven’t noticed any obvious problems with it just yet. This is because a newer boiler is likely to be much more energy-efficient, kinder to the environment and will not use any unnecessary energy to heat your home which will keep your bills down.

Install a Smart Thermostat

When in the process of upgrading your boiler, you might also want to consider having a smart thermostat involved. Smart thermostats work by getting familiar with your habits, eventually automatically knowing when to switch the heating on in a certain room and when it is not needed. You can also control many smart thermostats using your phone or another smart device, which can come in handy if you are going to be spending the whole day outdoors and want the house to be warm on your arrival. Rather than leaving the central heating on all day, you can save money by switching it on while you are on your way home using your phone. A smart thermostat also helps you save even more by monitoring your energy use and discovering new ways to save more.

Cut Down on Single-Use Plastics

Finally, cutting down your use of single-use plastics is an important part of creating a home and garden that is more environmentally friendly. Today, there are several products that are made from plastic that you might use once and think nothing of throwing away. Along with making sure that all recyclable plastics are placed into the relevant recycling bin in your home, consider how you could reduce the amount you use, such as by using refillable water bottles instead of plastic ones, or finding a new life for plastic items by putting them to use in your home rather than simply throwing them straight into the recycling.

When it comes to living a greener and more environmentally friendly lifestyle, it’s often the little things that will add up.

This post was authored by Emily Roberts

The post How to Achieve an Eco-Friendlier Home and Garden appeared first on The Design Tourist.