7 Ways to Be More Sustainable at Home on a Budget
From cheap insulation ideas to zero-cost home updates, these expert tips will help you save money and energy
Want to be more sustainable at home, but not sure where to start? Architects and interior designers have plenty of tricks up their sleeves to help make your home more environmentally friendly. Check out these smart ideas from Houzz stories to discover how to boost your own green power without spending a fortune.
2. Switch off stand-by
For an even more affordable tip, try turning off the stand-by mode on your electrical appliances for an instant energy save.
Appliances, TVs and gadgets turned to stand-by mode still require energy, particularly for maintaining the appliance’s ‘sleep’ status. “This is especially so if the appliance has LED lights or a flashing display that remains in place when the appliance isn’t being used,” says Graeme Wilson, who founded UK-based LWK London Kitchens.
“With the exception of fridges and freezers, most appliances can be switched off at the plug when not in use, and doing so can [deliver savings for] an average household,” he says.
“If this is a problem in your house,” he adds, “then it’s worth looking into stand-by [energy] savers, which let you turn off multiple appliances with one switch.”
For an even more affordable tip, try turning off the stand-by mode on your electrical appliances for an instant energy save.
Appliances, TVs and gadgets turned to stand-by mode still require energy, particularly for maintaining the appliance’s ‘sleep’ status. “This is especially so if the appliance has LED lights or a flashing display that remains in place when the appliance isn’t being used,” says Graeme Wilson, who founded UK-based LWK London Kitchens.
“With the exception of fridges and freezers, most appliances can be switched off at the plug when not in use, and doing so can [deliver savings for] an average household,” he says.
“If this is a problem in your house,” he adds, “then it’s worth looking into stand-by [energy] savers, which let you turn off multiple appliances with one switch.”
3. Source second-hand kitchen items
New kitchens can be expensive, but you can reduce the price tag, as well as your environmental impact, by buying some or even much of it second-hand.
“It’s unbelievable some of the kitchens people want to get rid of,” says Looeeze Grossman of The Used Kitchen Company in the UK, which specialises in second-hand kitchen sales.
The company sources ex-display models (such as the one pictured here), as well as good-quality kitchens from homeowners who are replacing them, at dramatically reduced prices.
While bargains like this can take time and effort to source, you can opt to use second-hand appliances in your kitchen or reuse ones you already have if you’re renovating and your appliances are still in good nick. The same goes for existing benchtops, splashbacks and cabinetry that still have life left in them.
New kitchens can be expensive, but you can reduce the price tag, as well as your environmental impact, by buying some or even much of it second-hand.
“It’s unbelievable some of the kitchens people want to get rid of,” says Looeeze Grossman of The Used Kitchen Company in the UK, which specialises in second-hand kitchen sales.
The company sources ex-display models (such as the one pictured here), as well as good-quality kitchens from homeowners who are replacing them, at dramatically reduced prices.
While bargains like this can take time and effort to source, you can opt to use second-hand appliances in your kitchen or reuse ones you already have if you’re renovating and your appliances are still in good nick. The same goes for existing benchtops, splashbacks and cabinetry that still have life left in them.
4. Restrict your shower’s flow
In a bathroom, there are several steps you can take to reduce your environmental impact. One is to restrict the flow of your shower.
For new builds, the Plumbing Code of Australia sets a minimum requirement for showerheads with a maximum flow rate of nine litres per minute, according to BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index in NSW). This is equivalent to a WELS rating of three stars.
To green up your daily shower, look for models that feature an aerator, which enriches the water with air, so the flow contains less water while keeping its volume.
In a bathroom, there are several steps you can take to reduce your environmental impact. One is to restrict the flow of your shower.
For new builds, the Plumbing Code of Australia sets a minimum requirement for showerheads with a maximum flow rate of nine litres per minute, according to BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index in NSW). This is equivalent to a WELS rating of three stars.
To green up your daily shower, look for models that feature an aerator, which enriches the water with air, so the flow contains less water while keeping its volume.
5. Reduce your flush
Another quick fix to reduce your environmental impact in the bathroom is to reduce the amount of water you use each time you flush the toilet.
“Flushing toilets are truly one of the cornerstone inventions of the modern world, but they can generally do the job with less water,” say Helen Yeadon and Joe Stewart of YellowDoor Architecture in the UK. “Place a cistern-displacement [water-saving] device in your dual-flush toilet cistern to reduce the volume of water used in each flush. You can get one of these from your water provider.”
Even easier, try using the half-flush button as much as possible.
Browse more beautifully designed Australian bathrooms
Another quick fix to reduce your environmental impact in the bathroom is to reduce the amount of water you use each time you flush the toilet.
“Flushing toilets are truly one of the cornerstone inventions of the modern world, but they can generally do the job with less water,” say Helen Yeadon and Joe Stewart of YellowDoor Architecture in the UK. “Place a cistern-displacement [water-saving] device in your dual-flush toilet cistern to reduce the volume of water used in each flush. You can get one of these from your water provider.”
Even easier, try using the half-flush button as much as possible.
Browse more beautifully designed Australian bathrooms
6. Wash at low temperatures
Washing your clothes less often is a quick way to reduce energy bills, so if you throw barely-worn garments in the washing machine without thinking, an overhaul of your habits could save you money.
If every wash is essential, though, you can still reduce your energy use by making sure you operate both your washing machine and dishwasher at a lower temperature, and each with a full load.
“If you’re buying a new machine, choose one with a half-load button,” says Wilson. “Also, by switching from a hot wash to a warm wash, over the course of a year you could cut the energy consumption of these appliances in half.”
Washing your clothes less often is a quick way to reduce energy bills, so if you throw barely-worn garments in the washing machine without thinking, an overhaul of your habits could save you money.
If every wash is essential, though, you can still reduce your energy use by making sure you operate both your washing machine and dishwasher at a lower temperature, and each with a full load.
“If you’re buying a new machine, choose one with a half-load button,” says Wilson. “Also, by switching from a hot wash to a warm wash, over the course of a year you could cut the energy consumption of these appliances in half.”
7. Harness solar power outside
Garden lighting can be an energy drain, but using solar-powered garden lights can instantly take you off-grid outside, removing the need for cables, hard wiring and outdoor power sockets.
Pip Probert, designer of the Contemplation Corner Garden at the UK’s RHS Flower Show Tatton Park suggests choosing solar-powered lights and water features to reduce the electricity used in your garden.
“There are lots of different styles available and they’re very easy to install,” says Probert. “They’re improving all the time and will store energy from the natural light during the day and release it when needed at night.”
Your turn
Which of these tips are you most likely to implement? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Curious what tomorrow’s kitchens will look like? Read up on What’s In a Smart Kitchen (and What Can We Expect Next)?
Garden lighting can be an energy drain, but using solar-powered garden lights can instantly take you off-grid outside, removing the need for cables, hard wiring and outdoor power sockets.
Pip Probert, designer of the Contemplation Corner Garden at the UK’s RHS Flower Show Tatton Park suggests choosing solar-powered lights and water features to reduce the electricity used in your garden.
“There are lots of different styles available and they’re very easy to install,” says Probert. “They’re improving all the time and will store energy from the natural light during the day and release it when needed at night.”
Your turn
Which of these tips are you most likely to implement? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Curious what tomorrow’s kitchens will look like? Read up on What’s In a Smart Kitchen (and What Can We Expect Next)?
Energy efficiency doesn’t have to be expensive, as TV presenter and sustainability champion Kevin McCloud explained in his interview with Houzz. His top tip for retrofitting your home on a budget? A roll of insulation tape.
“If I only had £50 [AU$92 at time of publication], I would go to my nearest hardware shop and spend a few quid on self-adhesive draught-excluding tape to seal any unwanted gaps around doors and windows,” he says.
“I’d probably spend the rest on tripling the insulation in the loft. In addition, many Victorian homes have a cellar and people forget it can cause draughts, so remember to insulate that, too.”
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