How to Make Your Home More Eco Friendly

There is a big drive towards carbon reduction these days, and not only by eco-minded people, but governments are also backing big changes to the way we live and encouraging the installation of solar panels and double glazing. If you’re interested in optimising your home to make it more eco-friendly and join the efforts to make the planet healthier again, read the tips below and consider some home improvements this summer. 

Install solar panels.

In the last five years, solar panel technology has improved significantly, before they operated at a rate of 15% but that is now more like 20 or 22%. They are even more efficient if you invest in high concentrated photovoltaic cells that operate at 46% efficiency. 

That’s not all. The government is still encouraging the use of solar panels in the home so you can find some great subsidies for them. As well as reducing your power bills you can earn from them by selling power back to the grid. 

Use eco appliances.

Eco appliances are things like kettles, boilers, toasters, blenders, washing machines, dishwashers, and many more everyday electrical items you use in the home. Eco appliances are optimized for energy efficiency so they use less power and switch off. 

Although eco appliances will not save a huge amount of energy for you and your home they can contribute significantly when working together. You might also use a smart meter to keep track of your home’s power usage.  

Use mirrored furniture.

It might seem a little bit incongruous to include furniture on a list of energy-saving ideas for the home, but this is furniture with a difference. Mirrored furniture includes cupboards, sideboards, mirrored lamp tables, coffee tables and much more, and it can influence energy usage in your home. 

Mirrored furniture is fully reflective so it increases the natural light in your living rooms and bedrooms. This means there is less need for electrical lighting in the morning and early evening. It also looks unique and modern.  

Install double glazing.

Windows are one of the main ways that heat comes into the home and is lost from it. Windows account for around 25-30% of energy loss for the home so it makes sense to target this area as much as possible.

The best way to reduce heat loss from your home through glass is to install double or triple glazing. This traps heat between panes of glass and acts as insulation. With double or triple glazing you should see a significant decrease in your home’s energy bills. 

Update insulation.

If you live in a newly built home chances are your insulation will be pretty good, all the same, it’s worth checking what insulation you have to make sure it is the best kind for your home and your local climate. 

Many homes use panel insulation but that isn’t the most efficient. Insulating foam is better because it gets into the cracks and holes in the walls and offers better insulation value. This is something to consider when improving your home this summer. 

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Milo Senalle

Milo Senalle

Managing Editor at Chispa Magazine
As one of the managing editors of Chispa Magazine, Milo Senalle is the go-to man for all things technology, ethical, and financial concerns. Providing laughs with his style of writing and problem-solving techniques, Milo is a voice of reason among the girly staff at Chispa. Married with children, living in Atlanta, he works 24/7 on becoming a man of courage and believes honor begins at home.

Milo Senalle

As one of the managing editors of Chispa Magazine, Milo Senalle is the go-to man for all things technology, ethical, and financial concerns. Providing laughs with his style of writing and problem-solving techniques, Milo is a voice of reason among the girly staff at Chispa. Married with children, living in Atlanta, he works 24/7 on becoming a man of courage and believes honor begins at home.