Scientists have proven globe’s climate is changing, the world is getting warmer and as inhabitants of the earth, we have a responsibility to do what we can to protect the planet and improve the environment.
Previously, we examined Five Ways to Improve the Environment Every Day where simple changes to the way you live your life can help impact climate change. Alone, one person cannot make a difference, but collectively, we can. Collectively, we can reduce carbon emissions and improve the world for the generation that follows us.
This starts at home; from the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep. We already have a head start in 2020, with Nature reporting carbon emissions decreased by 17% because of people spending more time at home during the recent pandemic. With people at home for prolonged periods of time, there are many small hacks and changes you could make around your house that could further help the fight against carbon emissions.
Improve the environment In the Kitchen
There are plenty of small hacks you can use around the kitchen which save energy without impacting your day-to-day life. For instance, the energy saving pointers by HomeServe Living includes boiling water in the kettle when preparing food such as pasta, rather than heating it from cold on the stove. A kettle uses far less energy to heat the water; so regularly using the kettle to boil water for cooking reduces your energy usage over the course of a year. Be aware of how much water you put in the kettle too – only boil what you need, when you need it.
In the Bathroom
The biggest change you can make in the bathroom to improve the environment is around your cleaning habits. Take Care of Texas suggests that a shower uses a third of the water a bath uses, meaning it is a far more efficient method of cleaning. Not only are you using less water, but less energy is used to heat it. You can go further too, installing an eco-shower head will also help stem your water usage. Also, when cleaning your teeth or washing your face in the basin, always make sure you turn the faucet off during the cleaning. These are small hacks which go a long way to saving water and energy,
In the Roof
If you have some time on your hands during the pandemic, why not check out your roof insulation to make sure it is of an acceptable standard. A third of all heat lost by the home is through inadequate insulation in the roof, so get the ladders down and have a look at what insulation you have up there. It works both ways too – it can keep the house warmer in winter, but in the warm summer months an insulated roof helps prevent the home from warming up too much under the hot sun.
Simple changes to the way you live your life can help impact climate change and improve the environment. Alone, one person cannot make a difference, but collectively, we can. Collectively, we can reduce carbon emissions and improve the world for the generation that follows.
Improve the environment In the Living Area
Phantom power costs U.S. homeowners hundreds of dollars each year without them even knowing it. Phantom power is where you leave an appliance plugged in, draining power, with no discernable outcome. This includes charging a cell phone overnight because it reaches 100% charge and continues to drain power while you are asleep. It also includes laptops and televisions left plugged in and on standby. It is estimated that you could cut your energy bills by 10% simply by unplugging and switching items off at the wall.
Through the Doors
Drafts are a real menace to energy bills, and you might not even notice them as being a problem. If you have a draft, however meagre it might seem, it means heat you are paying for is escaping your home. This might be under ill-fitting doors, or through windows which need replacing. Whilst wholesale renovations may be challenging in the winter, you can alleviate the problem by using draft excluders under doors, or thick curtains over windows which help keep the cold out, and the heat in.
