We are all looking for ways that we can be more responsible when it comes to our impact on the environment these days. The last couple of years have delivered a string of warnings that have been impossible to ignore, and as we look at the extreme weather events from around the world and hear the pledges being made by world leaders at the recent COP26 summit in Glasgow, we wonder what we can do ourselves. In the face of such a massive issue, it can sometimes feel like any steps that we can take are minuscule. But, as we have been told so often, every little helps and the changes that we make to the way we live our lives today may have a massive impact on the lives that our children and grandchildren will be able to lead.
As a homeowner, you have more opportunities to cut down your carbon and global warming footprint than you may realise, and that is why so many people are investing in sustainable homes. But a lot of people out there see sustainability as an expense that they cannot justify. That is why we have put together this list of financial tips for sustainable homeowners to help you look after your budget as well as your emissions.
Investing in appliances that have a better energy efficiency rating can be expensive, but they will save you money in the long run. It is important to remember that energy prices are skyrocketing right now, so trying to cut down on the amount that you are using is not just an environmental responsibility, it is something that will help you to cut down on your energy bills. Washing machines and dryers can be some of the biggest culprits when it comes to using a lot of energy, but it’s not all about the machines. You should also be looking to make sure that your property is fully insulated. Invest in double glazing for your windows to keep the heat in. If you have an attic, a cellar or both, then find out what kind of insulation you can install to better protect your property from energy loss.
One of the biggest ways that we can make a difference is with our wallet. By choosing to sign up to companies that are responsible, you know that you are spending responsibly and helping to put pressure on those that are not. Do your research to find out if you can switch to a more environmentally responsible energy provider. If you are doing home improvements, find out if you can use recycled materials. One of the most important decisions you will make is finding a home insurance policy that keeps you covered, and insurance experts Drewberry are dedicated to supporting their staff and customers by working towards a sustainable future. Drewberry can help you find a range of different insurance policies depending on your needs, and they can also help with your pension and other investments.
One of the ways in which the government is working to improve the United Kingdom’s carbon footprint right now is by incentivising people to invest in greener properties. They are working to link mortgages to green home improvements, which will help people to invest in properties that have a better energy performance certificate rating. Before you buy, find out what kind of incentives you could be looking at. This used to include the feed-in tariff for anyone with solar panels, and you should also talk to your energy supplier about what benefits they may be able to offer.
When we are planning finance tips, we tend to focus on the big things, the major changes that we can make to cut massive chunks out of our spending. But the fact is that the little things all add up, and sometimes we could all use a reminder to show us that there are always more things that we could be doing. One of the best examples is using a drying rack instead of putting your wet laundry through a cycle in the dryer. Turning off your appliances and machines at the wall instead of leaving them on standby will cut down on your energy usage.
Think about buying LED lightbulbs for your home instead of the traditional options. LED lightbulbs create much less waste energy, which means that you will be looking at a saving on your bills. Without wanting to summon the spirit of your parents shouting up the stairs about wasting electricity, remember to turn out the lights in rooms that you are not in. Turn on the heating when you need it instead of having it on an automatic timer.