Is Your Home Environmentally Friendly?

Here is a property article written by UK author Keith Barrett. In the article Keith asks "Is Your Home Environmentally Friendly?"

Climate change is an issue that is beginning to dominate the headlines. Here, we take a look at how we can all be more environmentally friendly at home.

Having an environmentally friendly home can have many aspects, from the design and building stage right through to our lifestyles. Some green ideas and technologies can be expensive but it is possible to make smaller changes that are relatively inexpensive but that can have a large environmental impact.

Many builders are waking up to green concepts and are also realising that being kind to the environment can also befinancially profitable. As a result, many new houses in the UKand elsewhere are being built to be "carbon neutral" - in theory, energy used during the build phase is offset.

This issue of trying to reduce our carbon footprints can be extended into our lives in our homes. For instance, many people are having solar panels or small wind turbines fitted at their
properties.

Such measures can have a substantial initial expense involve but, over a period of years, they may lead to savings, due to reduced electricity bills. Indeed, within the UK, some individuals are actually contributing to the National Grid using electricity generated within their own properties.

There are other solutions that you can use at lower prices that can still produce results. Think about your home recycling efforts and how these might be improved. For instance, have you got a composter and a water butt?

Within the home you can make subtle alterations to save water, gas and electricity. You may be able to make use of rainwater to flush your toilet - this may require some small alterations but could save a lot of water. which is particularly useful if your water supply is metered.

Don't forget to turn off lights when you are out of a room too. You'll be amazed at how much you can reduce your electricity bill by doing so and also by remembering never to leave your television set on standby.

Finally, remember the savings that can be made from insulatingyour home properly. Double glazed windows and conservatory doors can ensure that you minimise heat loss, saving on both energy usage and cost.

Similarly, loft insulation can have a massive impact. Many older properties are inadequately insulated, so consider improving the current loft insulation to save energy.

We've provided a few simple hints and tips that should help to make your home much greener.

Keith Barrett has written about Winchester estate agents and other UK property issues.