2015 seems to be the year we are really pushing ourselves to make a substantial change in the way we use energy and dispose of waste. This may be because green has finally become the cheapest option, or it may be that we have got used to the rituals and routines it takes to live green in a modern, technological age. For many of us, the cost of heating and lighting our homes has become so high, we simply cannot afford to do it anymore. We are keeping our homes cooler, installing thermal curtains and thick carpets, and reaping the benefits of that cheap throw Auntie Pat bought us for our wedding!
So just how cheap can green be?
Well, shivering for four months of the year at home is quite a high price to pay for keeping the gas bill down. We need to be warm, so we don’t feel completely miserable or exacerbate health problems. And yes, it is cheaper to simply eat smaller portions. This saves on the diesel impact of delivering food to the supermarket and reduces food waste. Draft excluders only cost a few pounds, and can save that in a month by reducing the chill factor indoors.
Simple things like replacing your halogen spots with LED bulbs will save a fortune in running electricity costs. The initial outlay is now about on par as well, so it is well worth doing. In fact, every bulb in your home, including the ones on the dimmer switch, can be replaced with LED bulbs. They cost less to run than even the energy saver ones. They look great in the home and work well on a solar charge in the garden too. Choose from warm white or cool and bright white.
Recycling plant pic from Flickr
Recycling is one of the easiest things to do once you get in the swing of it. Kerbside collections make life so much easier, and keep down the waste that ends up in your wheelie bin. Black sack waste sadly usually ends up in landfill, so avoid putting rubbish in if you can. For all the things they won’t collect at the kerb, there is usually a recycling centre just minutes away from you. If you don’t like the idea of composting, you can use the kerbside food waste collection instead. Almost everything can be recycled. You just need a good system in the house to make it work.
Being green is all about taking more care. It’s everything from the products you use to the way you use energy in your home. Don’t use water, gas or electricity from the mains supplies if you don’t absolutely have to. Instead, use solar energy or harvested water. It will save you money in the long run as well as saving energy. Recycle everything you can, so it costs less to the environment to make more. Find other ways to stay warm indoors, like moving around, draft excluders and extra layers. 18 degrees is a good temperature for winter, but most of us like it well over 21. See what you can do today to go greener for 2015.
