Easy Ways to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

Take a look outside - the weather is totally out of whack, sea levels are rising, polar ice caps are melting, extreme weather events are increasing... As we all become increasingly aware of the climate crisis, we need to do our part to encourage a more sustainable, eco-friendly way of life.

This doesn't mean you need to go fully off the grid. There are several small changes you can make to reduce your home's carbon footprint and create a more eco-savvy home environment. 

Here are 7 things you can do (this weekend!) to make your home more eco-friendly:

1. Encourage Natural Light

Making better use of natural light is a great way to cut down on energy consumption. Perhaps it is time to rethink your floor plan. Consider the windows and sunlight in each room and arrange your furniture around those well-lit areas. Is there a better position for your desk in your home office? Or could your couches be arranged better in your lounge?

2. Check Your Windows

While you're busy assessing the light in each room, take a moment to assess the windows themselves. If they are dirty, give them a good clean to allow more light to filter through. If the shutters or blinds are broken, preventing you from opening them, have them fixed. These simple cosmetic fixes will have a small, but significant impact on your energy consumption.

3. Switch to LED Bulbs

Not only do LED bulbs consume 90% less energy than traditional fluorescent light bulbs, they also reduce your electricity consumption and last up to four times longer. Be sure to replace your old bulbs with LED bulbs to help make your home run more efficiently, while saving you money.

4. Think Green When Cleaning

The chemicals in your favourite detergents go down the drain and into our water supply. These chemicals are harmful and it can take a lot of energy to purify the water again. Simple cleaning product switches can make a big difference to the environment. Bicarb, lemon juice, and vinegar are all eco-friendly supplements for bleaches and detergents and do a great job of killing germs and removing grease and odours.

5. Replace Your Plastic Toothbrush

Billions of plastic toothbrushes are thrown away each year. Once thrown away, these pieces of plastic end up as trash in our oceans and rivers. To curb this, rather opt for bamboo toothbrushes or choose a brush with a replaceable head.

6. Compost Your Food Waste

Turn your food waste into compost by throwing the scraps into a bin and, once the bin is full, deposit the compost into your garden - free fertiliser! Composting can be neat, tidy and odour-free if done correctly.

7. Fix Leaks

Check your plumbing for sneaky leaks. These are often small, yet steady drips and, over time, waste a significant amount of water. Do an audit of your kitchen, bathroom, garden, pool, and all other water sources and fix whatever leaks you find. This saves water and your belongings from water damage.

What's Next?

Start with these small steps and, over time, you can tackle bigger items to build a greener, more energy-efficient home. If you've achieved your eco-warrior goals already, and are ready for your next project, let us help you sell your home. With SAproperty.com, you will receive a quick and accurate property valuation making it possible to know your home's true value. Get in touch today to find out more.