Aiming for a greener home does not have to lead to a radical adjustment to your lifestyle.

There are many ways to be eco-friendly without having to have a complete overhaul to your home and life.
Being more eco-friendly also has the added bonus of saving you money…

Focus on energy saving improvements and energy efficient appliances which you can build into your eco friendly life.

-Quick Guide: How to be Energy Efficient –

Insulation in the Home

One of the most important ways to be more energy efficient is to make sure you have adequate insulation. Nearly half all energy lost in the home is through poor insulation of the loft and walls.
As well as checking that your loft and walls are properly insulated, it is also worth checking your floor’s insulation and filling in gaps and draughts- Although remember to always keep some form of ventilation in your house, especially in rooms with fires, heaters, boilers and especially the kitchen and bathrooms.

Also, opt for double-glazed windows – they are a fantastic solution to eco-friendly living and can help you save up to half your heat and energy loss.

Re-decorating your Home

Firstly, try not to buy too many new products unless they are necessary. You can always try a neighbour’s garage or thrift shops to find what you are looking for. If you have to buy new products then make sure you choose natural products as far as possible.
Natural materials include wool, silk, sissal and sea-grass.

Also, always try and choose sustainable products. Avoid imported timber and any wood from non-sustainable sources. Also, choose local and natural products or products made from recycled materials and substances.

Day-to-day

• Energy saving lightbulbs
• Install a low flow shower head
• Recycle, reuse and compost – reduce the amount of stuff you send to the landfill
• Find out about recycling programmes in the community
• Properly dispose of hazardous waste - Cleaners, oils, paints, pesticides, batteries and solvents should never go out with the household garbage as they end up contaminating the soil and groundwater in your community

Whether you treat your home as your refuge from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, or use it as an office for a small business, your interior environment plays a much more important role in maintaining your physical and mental health than you might think. While there are several ways one can enhance their own well-being from their surroundings - see our blog on decorating according to colour psychology below - one of the best ways is getting in touch with nature, and bringing the outside into your home. House plants offer a range of benefits to the occupants of any living space. They can lift your spirits, purify and detoxify the atmosphere, and generally improve your quality of life.

Plants act as a filter for pollutants that can otherwise harm health, promoting cleaner air in the space they occupy. They increase the oxygen content of the air you inhale, allowing you to breath more easily and think more clearly. Simply having plants around and caring for them  too can be very therapeutic, and has found to reduce stress in human beings.

Think back to science class, and you might remember that all plant life survives and grows by taking carbon dioxide from the air around itself, incorporating the carbon into organic substances for itself and returning pure oxygen back into the atmosphere. We humans as well as other animals breathe in oxygen from the atmosphere and utilize it in our respiratory cycles to burn food for energy and create organic molecules of our own. In turn, we exhale carbon dioxide. Plants utilize it for their own purposes, and thus the cycle continues. Oxygen is a key component in a healthy lifestyle, if an obvious one. If we don’t get enough, breathing becomes more difficult, slowing down our bodily functions and inducing feelings of fatigue.

Harmful pollutants such as micro particles, airborne chemicals and allergens may be present in the air we breath; some have the potential to cause ill health. Many homes, regardless of when they were built, contain traces  - sometimes dangerous levels - of benzene, ammonia, carbon monoxide, trichloroethane, xylene and other industrial chemicals. Research has suggested that having a variety of plants in your house can reduce respiratory diseases, tiredness, and illness by stripping the air of dust and other contaminants.

Flora at home can create a harmonious sense of well being and create a more natural, peaceful, and nurturing environment that is more conducive to productivity and serenity. Studies have shown that simplybeing around other living things can liven your mood considerably. Much like pets, plants make us feel connected to nature and the natural world we are intended to be a part of. Living in a completely sterile and mechanized environment can have an alienating effect on a person.

So, which plants should you incorporate into your surroundings? Of course, it is a matter of choosing in accordance with your own personal tastes, in addition to where you live and your own unique micro climate. For instance, if you want more of a house tree, a Ficus Benjamina might be something you’d be interested in. It survives well in a diverse array of environments. Similarly, Peace Lilies are both attractive to the eye, and are great at purifying air. Spider Plants, Boston Ferns, and Palm Trees are also common and popular choices to spruce up your home. Whatever your choice might be, make sure to take care of them on a regular basis, and check that their species is compatible with the climate of the room you intend them to live in.

Making houseplants a welcome addition to your family can improve your life on a variety of levels.  They can increase the quality of your health, sleep, and general mood. Aside from the pleasant aesthetic of vibrant colours and the organic feel of living things to offset the unnatural indoor environment, they are great for your peace of mind and your body as well. Why not take a trip to the local greenhouse or find seeds online today and plant your own? Happiness is just a shoot away. 

Bored of your boudoir but can’t stump up the funds? Tired of your living space, but worried about saving pennies? Decorating your home doesn’t have to be a bank-breaking excerise. Below are a list of tips, hints and suggestions to help you plan your re-design on a budget, whatever your financial situation.

1. Think simple, big, open and neutral. Go for timeless, long-lasting looks that are easilly adjustable. A natural carpet, wooden floor or cream interior allows for multiple changes in soft furnishings and colour-schemes, without the hassle of a complete refurbishment each time you fancy an little something different. Insure you prioritise good lighting. Poor illumination will dampen your colour scheme and shrink your space.
   
2. Save the evnvironment, save your pennies, and steer away from fads and trends, particularly if you’re a sucker for disposable buying! They won’t last long, and be off-trend in a season. So if you are cutting back, cut it out.
   
3. Choose slices of your complete vision. Don’t rush to complete the masterpiece straight away and bull-doze into your overdraft without the cash to cater for it. Save up for a great pair of curtains, a set of vases that may otherwise sit just outside your price range, or a stylish sofa that feels as good as it looks, and will last you a life time. Remember, some things are worth waiting for!
   
4. Prioritise. It’s all well and good splashing out on a vintage candelabra to set off a spectacular mantle piece, but if there’s nowhere to park your derriere, then the function of your living room is lost. Buy the skeleton items first, deck out the innards afterwards. Prioritise on your spending too. It is worth, for example, paying more for a comfortable, great-looking sofa that will last a life time and holding back on ornaments until finances allow. Writing a list separating your room needs and wants is always a good exercise. Number them from most to least, and plan your budget accordingly.
   
5. History, as they say, has a habit of repeating itself; an endless cycle of by-gone styles circulating year on year, just waiting for the chance to be thrown back onto our walls and wardrobes for the on-coming season. The lesson here? Think vintage.  If  you’re lucky enough to have a relative or friend with an attic full of junk, get raiding! If not,  try flea-markets, thrift stores, and auctions for stand-out pieces to add a timeless sense of character to your dwelling. And if the thought of leaving your lovely home brings you up in a rash, why not shop from the sofa, and browse the internet for vintage online.
   
6. Stuck for ideas? Let the décor choose you. Shop for a style, pick an individual item to set off a room, be inspired by a particularly poignant piece of artwork, and let the item work the room. Choose a colour scheme that fits with the item, and carry the theme through the area to be decorated. In this instance, you may wish to spend more on said item of inspiration, and boost it one or two places up the priority list. This needs to be in balance with the rest of the room however, so be wise with the amount you do spend. Be sure to make this treasure the focus of the room and well displayed too!
   
7.  Be unique. Don’t make the mistake of buying all your items from one place. Shop around for an individual style to prevent your space looking like a knocked-off show room.
   
8. Remember, you can do a lot with a little. Think  throws, wall-hangings, rugs, and fairy lights for an instant transformation on a very small budget. Why not paint a panel of the wall to add a splash of colour, instead of saturating the walls with a single shade? An old minimalist Japanese trick to remember is ‘bring the outside in’. Plants, pebbles and natural fabrics can do wonders for your living space, and are well worth forking out for.
   
9. Think DIY, and where you can, customise. Doll up a dull piece of furniture with a fresh coat of paint and a handful of stencils. Transform spare fabrics into throws or cushion covers. If your sewing machine savvy, why not try making your own curtains? Check back at this blog for a great guide on how to create your very own pair. Happy saving!

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So, you’re looking for curtains to keep your rooms nice and cosy? Choosing a thermal lining for your curtains or Roman blinds is an easy way to help reduce energy loss through your windows – and save you a few pennies on your heating bill at the same time.

Tests have shown that 80% of energy is lost through your windows and that good quality thermal curtains can help retain 30% of that heat. In short, you can shave roughly 20% off your annual utility bill, simply by fitting thermal curtains.

For added effectiveness, choose interlining as well as a thermal lining. An interlined and thermal curtain or Roman blind will help to keep even more heat in, at the same time as giving your curtains a fuller and plumper look.

The only real difference between thermal and blackout lining is that blackout lining has an extra acrylic layer to block out the light. This actually makes blackout lining more effective as a thermal insulator than thermal lining but it will prevent light from streaming through the fabric; which is an attractive look for most rooms other than a bedroom.  For more information on blackout linings, click here

If you want the thermal properties, at the same time as letting a little bit of light through then go for thermal lining.

Thermal lining is just a little bit more expensive than standard cotton lining (around 5-10% more), but the added long term benefits when you inevitably start saving money on your energy bills it’s going to be well worth the investment.

Thermal lining is made using a poly/cotton mix (blackout lining made from 100% natural materials doesn’t yet exist). Most curtain companies offer white and off-white colour thermal lining and choose the best colour to match the fabric you’ve chosen.

Some people considering thermally lined curtains are concerned by the way that their curtains will hang. Don’t be. Thermal lining is a fraction of a millimetre thicker than cotton lining and will hang well.

Click here to take a look at the Natural Curtain Company’s range of fabrics – all available as both thermal curtains and thermal blinds.

Having trouble paying your nightly visit to the land of nod, now that the sunny season has arrived? Don’t worry; you’re not on your own! The summer sun comes at a price for many of us, when morning time begins to arrive before its welcome, and the moon starts to feel like a long lost friend.

Help is indeed at hand however, in the form of blackout curtains and blinds. The blackout lining option that you can choose with most made-to-measure curtain and blind companies can be a godsend for rooms that are east-facing, for example, because they completely block out the sunlight to give you the good nights sleep you deserve.

As an added bonus, all types of blackout lining have thermal retention properties, meaning that they keep the heat in during winter. Blackout lining will typically cost a little bit more than standard cotton lining would, but the added benefits – both short term with regards to the light, and long term when you inevitably start saving money on your energy bills – are going to be well worth the investment.

Blackout lining is made using a poly/cotton mix (blackout lining made from 100% natural materials doesn’t yet exist). The fabric is then coated in an acrylic layer to increase its light-blocking properties. Manufacturers of blackout lining normally offer a range of colours, but curtain makers, like the Natural Curtain Company, mostly offer white and off-white colours.

At the turn of the century, Upton Sinclair helped our raise national awareness about the toxic nature of unregulated industry with his novel The Jungle. Today, people have recognized another toxic by-product of civilizations. The healing process, known as the green movement, has begun.

However, the green movement requires more than just governmental regulations and industrial change. It also requires changes in every home in the world, and truly, in every person’s attitude toward environmental protection. If you want to add a little “green” to your home, read these forty tips toward creating a green home.

1. Weather proof your doors and windows
Every air leak in your home represents an increase energy usage. For example, when cool air leaks out during the summer or when warm air leaks out during the winter, your air conditioner or heating system runs harder and longer. The end result is a greater use of electrical or natural gas energy. While many industries are showing more concern for the environment, most electrical producers must still use coal-fired plants and most natural gas producers must drill and destroy ecosystems. The less energy you consume, the more green your home becomes.

2. Using energy-efficient lighting
Energy efficient lighting in the form of compact fluorescent bulbs can save your home some money and also make it much greener. Compact fluorescent bulbs use less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. (Incandescent bulbs are the round bulbs with a filament inside that have been used widely.) When you use less energy on your lighting, you reduce the amount that is required of electrical energy producers.

3. Turn your thermostat down
If your home is equipped with a programmable thermostat, then you are in luck. Program your thermostat to be at a green temperature, normally in the low 70s. Not only will you be more comfortable in a stable temperature, but also your heating or air conditioning unit will not work nearly as hard. That will save you repair and energy costs, and help the environment by eliminating all the “green” costs of repair and energy overuse. Turning down your thermostat just one degree will save you around 4% of your heating costs.

4. Giving air conditioners a tune-up
Air conditioning units, especially newer units, can be much more efficient if given a tune up every two years. Have a technician ensure that your air conditioner is running in tip-top condition, and your pocketbook and sense of environmental ethical responsibility will thank you. This is a great tip for those without the funds to buy a newer, more efficient air conditioning unit. The tune up will allow owners of older models to make environmentally conscious decisions without breaking the bank.

5. Installing low flow taps and showerheads
Do you know what the gallons per minute (GPM) measure of your faucets, showerheads and toilets are? Older homes are often fitted with very high flow rate water fixtures. Not only will the increase amount of water wastage cost you more money, but it does a number on the environment as well. Because more processing is required to meet water demand, companies must build new water treatment facilities. When companies have to build to meet demand generated by waste, the environment suffers.

6. Insulating the water heater
Insulating jackets for water heaters and pipes are not only cheap, but also effective. The idea is simple - cover your water heater and adjoining pipes in insulation, and less heat is lost to the surrounding air. The end result is that the water heater does not work as hard, does not use as much electricity or natural gas, and saves you money. In turn, the environment will thank you as companies stop building more plants to meet wasted demand.

7. Regulating the water heater
Is the water coming out of your taps scalding hot if you turn the heat on all the way? Did you know that your water heater could be regulated to the point that full heat at the tap becomes a comfortable temperature? Regulating your water heater is a lot like programming your air conditioner thermostat. The water heater will only heat water to a specified temperature, and then stop. It requires much less energy to heat a water heater to 120 degrees than 180, and the former is much safer for children and adults alike.

8. Installing a tankless water heater
The tankless water heater is a modern green marvel. The way it works is that water is pumped through a heating device that gets very hot, very quickly. That way, a tank of water does not have to be kept at a constant hot temperature all day long, but rather water is heated on demand (a tap or showerhead is opened). Tankless water heaters are also great for the home - they are tiny compared to tank varieties and can be easier to install.

9. Planting greenery
This one is a no-brainer. When you plant decorative shrubs and trees, you are essentially installing oxygen generation machines in your yard. They are beautiful, decorative and by definition, environmentally friendly.

10. Buying ENERGY STAR products
To achieve ENERGY STAR certification, appliances must meet very stringent specifications for energy use and wastage. Basically, ENERGY STAR devices are the greenest ones around because they have been designed with the certification in mind (and therefore the green movement too). Sure, they cost more money from the get-go, but in the long term these devices will reduce your energy expenditure and resulting costs.

11. Getting a blower door test
Blower doors are cool tools used by energy use specialists to help homeowners determine the amount of leakage in their homes. The contraption is set up in a door of your home while all other doors and windows are closed. Then, a calibrated fan blows a specified amount of air into the home and a pressure sensitive device records the effect. If air is leaking, then the pressure device will not register the normal amount of pressure. After this test, a technician can tell you how large your total leak, or the sum of the areas of all leaks, is. Bigger leaks lead to greater energy use and more negative environmental externalities.

12. Using Low-VOC products
Volatile organic compounds or VOCs are molecules that are toxic to humans and/or the environment. Many paints and cleaners use formulas that contain VOCs. Common substances containing VOCs are mineral spirits, paint thinner, oil and waterborne paints, and solvent based cleaners. What is important to note is that VOC formulated products are intended to let VOCs drift into the air. To make a long story short, releasing toxic fumes is not only unhealthy, but also unethical. The green movement has prompted many companies to prepare green or low-to-no VOC formulations of their products. Ask store clerks for these products when buying paints and cleaners.

13. Using proper insulation
Any way you can keep heat and cold in your home makes your home more efficient. Insulation is your way of wrapping up your whole house to keep the desired temperature inside. Homes with poorly installed (or absent!) insulation require more work from air conditioning units, which in turn uses more energy. By insulating your home correctly, you can save some money and environmental harm. Get in contact with a contractor to discuss insulation.

14. Composting
Such is the cycle of life: it is born, it grows, it dies, it is eaten, and it turns to dirt. Thankfully, humans have taken charge of this life process in the form of composting. The idea is simple - throw all your organic, non-toxic garbage into a big dirt pile and let a multitude of worms, insects and fungi feast on it. The leftover excrement and debris is nature’s most natural and potent fertilizer. It is literally packed with all the nutrients that the original banana peel left behind!

15. Use rainwater
While this idea may not sound pleasant, it can at least be practical. Put a big barrel underneath all the gutters attached to your home. When it rains, the gutters pour water into your barrels. Use this water to water your gardens or wash your outdoor furnishings. Do not use this water for drinking, however. It could contain unsafe levels of bacteria or roof debris.

16. Planting a garden

Do you know the plight of the commercially grown vegetable? It begins life as a seed, harvested through unnatural hybrid production. It is then planted in ground saturated with unnatural fertilizers, which will eventually run off into streams and rivers. As it grows, it is watered by aquifers which are unnaturally pumped dry. It is then harvested and transported with machines that generate waste carbon and pollution. I am guessing that being a vegan/vegetarian does not feel as soul-satisfying right now.

The natural alternative to the farming debauchery is to grow your own garden. Slap your own compost on your own dirt, and work it with the strength of your back. Albeit, if you grow beans you may be guilty of generating waste methane, but the amount will not be nearly as damaging as what is created by combines and trucks.

Worried about having “green” food for winter? Revive the old lost art of canning.

17. Buying energy efficient windows
The window is an intentional design flaw. It is a controllable hole in your home that will let all manner of heat and cold escape at the possibility that the air outside is comfortable enough to tolerate. If you must have windows in your home (proponents of fresh air and sunshine exist?), then install energy efficient windows. You will save money and use less energy.

18. Using recycled roof shingles
Have you ever lifted a bunch of shingles? If you have not, it is around eighty pounds. That will cover only a fraction of a small roof. Yes, you have hundreds of pounds of crap on your roof that is designed to protect you from all things falling. There are hundreds upon thousands of waste rubber tires floating in landfills that would make perfect trampolines to keep hail and the neighbor kid’s ball from damaging your rafters. Case in point, buy recycled.

19. Use your ceiling fan in the winter AND the summer
If you’re lucky enough to have a ceiling fan, did you know if you reverse it’s direction it will blow warmer air down into the room making your hose feel warmer.

20. Landscaping with drought-resistant plants
This is a tip to protect you from being counterintuitive. Planting a ton of environmentally friendly shrubs, trees and plants is a great leap forward in making your home green. Just make sure that your greenery does not create a bigger problem than you started with because it requires more water consumption. Using drought-resistant plants will be a surefire way to make sure your new green investment stays green.

21. Planting shade trees
Sure, newer air conditioners use less energy, and are more efficient, and blah, blah, blah! There is a much more low-tech solution to the problem. Plant a shade tree next to your home, and the resulting shade will naturally cool your house. Just make sure to plant it a safe distance - you do not want to have to replace your foundation when tree roots crack it or your roof when falling limbs destroy it.

22. Install recycled flooring
You walk all over your flooring. Why does your flooring have to be made of brand new materials? Consider using recycled flooring, that way when Fido uses the floor instead of the fire hydrant it will be an act of the green movement!

23. Using modern appliances
Newer is not always better, but when speaking green it is. Stone Age appliances use more electricity and resources because people back then did not have a clue that their actions were destroying the future Earth. Modern technology and philosophy have resulted in more efficient appliances that use less energy. Less energy usage is environmentally friendly.

24. Keeping air filters clean
For those who have never changed their air filter, the air filter in your air conditioner unit is just behind that grate that sucks in air. Its purpose is to remove particles from the air which will cause the unit to malfunction or cause your allergies to flare. Most filters get filled with dust and debris as months go by, and all filters require washing or replacement after a manufacturer specified time period. To reduce the environmental costs of air conditioner repair or allergy clinic visits, replace your air filter often with a quality filter!

25. Using aerators on taps
Most taps come with an aerator these days, but if a recent plumbing fiasco resulted in a lost or destroyed aerator, invest in one. They are cheap devices that add air to the water running from taps. This increases the volume of the running water, so it becomes more effective in rinsing and washing. The result is less water wasted in doing the dishes.

26. Banish dripping taps
A tap dripping at just one drop per second will waste 10 gallons over the course of a week.

27. Buying recycled paper products
Printer paper, newspapers, toilet paper, paper towels - each product uses a precious resource, trees. There is big potential for saving the planet by using only recycled paper products. Less logging means less expended energy and fewer fallen trees. The result is cleaner, more abundant oxygen rich air.

28. Reduce the consumption of plastics
Plastics are a unique material due to their construction. They are made from petroleum and therefore require all the environmentally unfriendly techniques associated with petroleum exploration, collection and refinement. In addition, petroleum-based plastics release toxic compounds when burned. This is a common problem when rubbish must be burned.

29. Turning off your computer
Yes, having your computer fired up and ready to surf when you wake up each morning is glorious. However, you can save a lot of energy by turning it off at night. If shutting down is too inconvenient for you, use the hibernate feature in Windows.

30. Using soft furnishings and curtains to retain heat
Soft cloth curtains and drapes retain heat. Therefore, before winter hits, hang your soft curtains to keep heat in the room. This is especially important for homes with poorly efficient windows.

31. Consider solar panel electrical sources
This tip requires a big investment, but the savings are huge. Solar panels are expensive, a few thousand pounds for an average home. But when your electricity bills are a fraction of their previous amount, you will be relishing the investment. Not to mention that solar energy is environmentally friendly to the extreme.

32. Using roof coatings to retain heat
Companies sell special roof coatings that are applied to the underside of your roof which can retain heat in the winter and repel heat in the summer. Once coated, your roof will be just as efficient as your double paned windows and ENERGY STAR compliant dishwasher.

33. Install magnifying solar lights
Magnified solar lights are like tiny skylights, but magnified so the incoming light will illuminate an entire room. Rather than using artificial light to illuminate interior rooms, have these installed and use solar energy without the expense of buying panels.

34. Having “green inspection” tests
Like the blower door test, green inspector companies can send technicians to evaluate your home’s efficiency. They can provide customized tips to save energy in your home.

35. Conserving water
Remember the Earth Day campaigns from the 90s? Having been a kid at that time, I remember that I am supposed to turn off the water when brushing my teeth. There are many ways to conserve water that are common sense. Follow them and enjoy a greener home.

36. Conserving electricity
Once again, common sense dictates that when an appliance is not being used, it should be turned off. This includes computers, video games, televisions - anything that uses electricity. Saving energy can be as easy as being responsible with your electronics. Remember, the energy you use may not be the direct culprit of environmental harm. Rather, the waste energy you consume prompts companies to build more plants to meet future demand. More plants make more waste.

37. Adjusting the refrigerator
If you can freeze POP-ICE in the fridge portion of your refrigerator/freezer, you need to adjust the temperature. By putting the temperature at a level that will provide food protection and less energy use, you can take a proactive green step for your home. It is normally as easy as turning a dial - look at the top of the inside of your fridge.

38. Line drying clothing
Another no-brainer is using wind power to dry your clothing rather than an electricity-guzzling dryer. Just keep in mind that especially humid days will make line drying difficult. Don’t worry - people have been line drying in their homes for decades.

39. Closing the fireplace damper
If you are noticing an especially large amount of air leakage from your home, but don’t know where the leak is, check the fireplace damper. Close it when not in use!

40. Using the smallest pan while cooking
An often-overlooked tip, larger pans require more energy to heat. If you use the smallest possible pan, you will use less range top time and therefore less total energy. Basically, if you are cooking Ramen noodle soup for one, don’t use your largest stockpot.

With the semi-bleak outlook of today’s economy, we are all becoming increasingly concerned with cutting costs and saving money. But, not only is it important to save cents…We are looking for ways to “save cents” that also “make sense.” What better way can we save money than by similarly cutting energy costs? If we can simply implement these easy energy and money saving strategies, we will all be expanding our wallets and resting our weary minds before we know it.

1- Good Quality Curtains

The strategy topping our energy-saving list is that of hanging good quality curtains. This may seem like a menial task; however, if it is done correctly, it will save energy and money by acting as an insulator, reducing heating and cooling costs.

For added energy-saving creds, get thermal or blackout lining sewn into your curtains or blinds and increase their insulating properties by up to 25%.

2- Thermostat

To further reduce expenditures, pay close attention to the setting on the thermostat–it should be set as low as is comfortable in both the winter and the summer. Dialling down just 1°C can save you £30 annually.

3- Switch off Switches and Appliances

Always switch of your plug sockets when you’re not using them. You can save tonnes of energy every year if you simply turn off your TV at the plug socket every night. Did you know that your DVD player consumes 85% of the power it uses, when it isn’t even in use? Not only this, but for things such as mobile phones and MP3 players, once they’ve finished charging you’re helping to preserve the life of the battery by unplugging it.

4-Stick Foil Behind Your Radiators

One of the easiest and most effective ways to save money and keep heat in is to stick some ordinary kitchen foil behind your radiators (shiny side facing the radiator). Sure, you can go out and buy expensive insulation to stuff behind there, but this is just as efffective at a fraction of the price.

5-Give your Tumble Dryer a Break

With summer looming, make use of the sunshine and dry your clothes outside. If you don’t have a garden or balcony, try installing a make-shift washing line in front of a window. Not only will you cut your energy bill, you’ll cut down on ironing time, which of course, is what really matters!

6- Set your Timer

With this summer expected to be one of the hottest to date (where have we heard that before?!), using your central heating should be done as rarely as possible. However, if you insist on using it, make sure to set your timer to switch off 30 minutes before you leave the house, and no more than 30 minutes before you’re due to get home. If your heating takes longer to kick in, you should seriously think about insulating your home better.

7- Plant Trees

Planting deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your home to keep it cool and shady in the summer and light-filled through the winter is probably one of the ‘greenest’ things you can do save energy.

8- Replace Lightbulbs

Consider replacing regular light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs or CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs). They last about 10-15 times longer than regular bulbs and save you around £9 a year if you change all the lights in your house. On average, you save about £100 over the bulb’s lifetime.

9-Insulate Drafts

Find and seal cracks, gaps, and leaks and add insulation to protect the home against air loss. This practice alone could potentially save 20% on heating and cooling costs. To locate possible leaks, use a lit incense stick and hold it next to an area with a potential outside air pathway (doors, windows, electrical boxes…). If the smoke flows horizontally, this indicates a leak that needs attention.

10-Regular Servicing

Finally, as a general rule of thumb, have heating and cooling systems serviced once a year to ensure optimum performance efficiency.

By completing these 10 simple tips, you can save yourself time, energy, and money. In today’s society, we need all three, and everything always makes more sense when we’re saving cents.