More and more people are concerned with managing their carbon footprint. Almost everything you do will create some waste, and use some energy, but if you think carefully and shop wisely you can minimise the impact that your home repairs and renovations have on the environment. Here are a few tips to help you live in a comfortable green home.

1. The three R’s: You’ve probably heard of Reduce, Re-use, Recycle. This mantra is well worth following. Try to use less packaging. Repair things around the home instead of replacing them; choose to invest in shower repairs, or bath resurfacing, rather than getting a new tub for instance. Don’t throw away your old curtains, cut them up and make cushion covers out of them.
2. Manage energy usage: If you don’t already have insulation, get some fitted. Loft insulation is quick and easy to fit and will save you money on your energy bills. Cavity wall insulation offers even bigger savings.
3. Take care of what you have: Get your boiler serviced regularly, and look after your appliances too. Regular servicing of expensive items will make them last longer, saving you money, and reducing your need to buy new stuff.
4. Use eco-friendly cleaners: Modern detergents aren’t exactly the nicest things to pour down your drains. Wherever possible, use environmentally friendly cleaning products. If you’re going to try something like bath resurfacing, that uses harsh chemicals, follow the disposal instructions carefully. The same goes for paints, thinners, oils, and anything else that you wouldn’t want the family pet accidentally drinking.
5. Tend your garden: If you have a garden, make use of it! If you don’t, plant a few hardy flowers in a window box. It’s amazing what a difference a few plants will make to your wellbeing, and the quality of the air in your home!

Green living doesn’t have to mean making sacrifices; it just means thinking carefully about your actions. For example, next time something breaks, try repairing it instead of sending it to landfill. Next time you’re thinking of buying something, consider whether you really need it, and whether the version of the product you’re looking at is the best one to buy. Sometimes, cheap products are a false economy and bad for the environment too. It may be better to spend a little extra money to buy a product that’s better made, rather than buying a low quality, plastic product that will break as soon as the warranty runs out.

Power usage is another important thing to consider. Do you really need the heating on all day, every day during the winter? Do you really need fans on all day during the summer? Try opening a window instead of running a fan while it’s warm, and make use of your thermostat to control temperatures during the colder months. You don’t need your house to be like a sauna – if it’s slightly cool, try putting a jumper on instead of cranking up the heat. Warm rooms are a breeding ground for bacteria, so you could be doing yourself a favour if you keep the temperature in check.

This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of Hometech, who offer repairs including shower repairs and bath resurfacing.