June 20th, 2018 by Chris Chapman

Climate change is arguably the biggest threat facing our planet right now, so it’s important that every household does whatever they can to help. It’s not always possible to pay to have expensive solar panels or state-of-the-art insulation installed in your home, but there are still plenty of simple ways you can do your bit to help the planet and make big savings on your electricity bills along the way!

1. Let the Light In

Open those curtains wide to let more heat into your home! Sunlight is one of the best ways to naturally warm your home. Bear this in mind not just when you’re too cold but also when you’re too warm as well. You can save 10% on your heating bills by making sure your curtains or blinds are open during the daytime. Don’t expect miracles – this won’t suddenly make your home feel summery on an icy winter day – but what it will do is take some of the burden off your heating system, meaning it takes less energy to heat your home. This will add up over the course of a year! Likewise, keeping your curtains closed on a hot day is a good way to keep sunlight out of your home which will help you stay cool. Again, it won’t magically chill your home, but it will help make things easier for your air cooling system.

2. Easy Economical Heating and Cooling

Your old radiator could be costing you - and the planet There are some eco-friendly ways to keep warm in winter that you might not have considered. Did you know an electric blanket could cost as little as 2p per night to run? If you don’t need to heat whole rooms in your home, snuggling underneath a quality heated blanket is a much more economical way of staying warm in winter. Alternatively, it’s worth looking at a modern electric radiator or panel heater. New legislation means all new heaters must meet certain environmental standards, so getting a radiator with smart energy-saving features like open door detection is great for the environment and for your wallet! It’s also worth considering how you keep cool in summer. If you’ve got a large living room, there’s no point trying to keep cool with a small desk fan as it won’t be efficient or effective. On the other hand, you probably don’t need a giant, electricity-guzzling aircon unit to cool a small spare bedroom! For most households, an air cooler is a nice balance between cooling power and low energy usage.

3. Go Vegan (Partially)

Vegan food can be a delicious and nutritious way to help the planet Steak lovers, don’t close the page! You can still enjoy all your favourite foods and help save the planet. Studies have found that cutting down on meat and dairy is the single biggest way you can help the planet as livestock causes an enormous carbon footprint. Meat and dairy provide just 18% of the world’s calories, yet livestock farming produces 60% of all the planet’s carbon emissions. You don’t have to cut out the meat and cheese entirely, but just having one vegan day per week could make a massive difference over time. If everyone on the planet followed suit, we’d massively reduce carbon emissions, pollution, and the amount of farmland we need. Veganism isn’t all beans and rice – you can actually find some pretty tasty recipes online quite easily!

4. Lay Things Out

Keep your fridge out of direct sunlight to save on your energy bills The way you lay your home out can massively affect the amount of energy you use. Placing your fridge and freezer in a shady area is one of the easiest but biggest ways you can save on your energy bills. If your fridge isn’t in direct sunlight, it doesn’t have to use as much energy to keep cool. If you put your sofa in sight of your window, the sunshine will make it easier to keep warm while you’re watching TV, reducing the amount of work your heating has to do. Laying out your home with the sunlight in mind is an easy way to help out the planet, and it won’t cost you a penny!

5. Look After Your Washing Machine

Look after your washing machine to keep it operating efficiently Washing machines are big energy guzzlers, so you want them to be running at peak efficiency at all times. Getting a washing machine that can run cold is always a good idea as up to 90% of the energy a washing machine uses goes into heating the water, but you’ll still need to clean it to make sure it’s not wasting energy. Over time, your washing machine’s pipes and drains will become clogged with soap scum, limescale, and mould. This makes it harder for your washing machine to clean your clothes properly, meaning you may have to use higher temperatures or even wash the clothes again. Cleaning this out regularly with some washing machine cleaner will ensure that you’re getting the most out of your washing machine while also helping to prevent leaks, damage, and musty smells transferring to your clothes.