We are all aware of how the choices we make impact the world around us and our properties can have a huge impact on the environment. Whether it’s your own home, a buy to let property or your business premises, there are several small changes you can make to ensure your property is more environmentally friendly. These simple steps will make a huge difference, and they should save you some money too!
Keep the Heat In
Heating your property can be costly both to your wallet and to the environment but there are several ways you can reduce heat loss in your home or business. If your property has not already been insulated it is important to consider this as a huge amount of heat can be lost through the roof if it is not properly insulated. Cavity wall insulation is another way you can reduce the amount of heat you lose in your property. There are often grants available from your local authorities for insulation improvements.
You can use thick curtains on your windows and doors to reduce the amount of heat lost through them, and draft excluders are also great for this. If your windows or doors are drafty due to holes in the frames or between the frames and the wall – just buy some filler and plug the holes. You will find this can have a drastic effect.
Choose a New Build Energy Efficient Property
New regulations which have been introduced by the government and stricter industry standards, mean that new build properties must adhere to certain environmental standards. To appeal to more eco-conscious tenants, some property investment specialists are incorporating more eco-friendly features into new properties. Energy saving lightbulbs, increased insulation and environmentally friendly materials all make these new build properties better for the environment.
Fix any Maintenance Issues
A leaky pipe is not just annoying, it’s also a huge waste of water. Fix leaky pipes, dripping taps.
Badly maintained fireplaces, heaters and ovens waste energy and they can emit several harmful pollutants and even dangerous gases. Make sure that you stick to a regular maintenance regime which includes servicing of fires and boilers and cleaning of flues. This will make sure that your appliances are safe but it will also ensure that everything is working as efficiently as possible. If possible, consider upgrading to energy efficient alternatives.
Reduce Waste Wherever Possible
It is vital that we all start reducing how much we waste daily and there are a number of ways you can do this in your home. Cutting down how many plastic bags you use, recycling as much as possible and reusing jars and containers are all simple ways you can cut down how much you are wasting in your home. Another great way you can reduce waste is through buying recycled and reused products. From recycled toilet paper to second hand furniture – reducing the number of things that are thrown away is something you can easily incorporate into your home life.
Get Some Plants
Plants are amazing for the environment, absorbing harmful gases and purifying the air. Air quality is linked to a number of health factors and everyday house plants have been proven to reduce the amount of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the air. Different species are also good for different pollutants and older plants in the same soil become more effective at processing certain pollutants.
Choose Paperless Bills
Many companies are doing this automatically, but if not, you can still request that you receive correspondence via email rather than through the post. This obviously saves on how much paper is wasted but it also cuts down on transportation emissions. And if you really need a bill on paper you can download and print it later.