What Are The Least Sustainable Parts Of Your Home?

(Image Source)

 

There are few problems in the world which unify people quite like climate change. Everyone is impacted when the weather begins to change, whether they live in the coldest or hottest part of the world, and this makes it crucial that people work together. 

 

Of course, though, it isn’t always easy to know what you need to do to do your part. You can recycle, drive less, and try to cut down on the plastics you use, and this is all great, but there is still plenty you can do. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring your home, highlighting some of the most environmentally unfriendly parts of it.

 

The Boiler

 

Most modern homes have some sort of boiler. These machines heat up the water in your place, providing you with heat and pleasant baths, and they can last for a very long time. Like any mechanical devices, though, they won’t be able to work at their peak unless they’re kept in the right condition.

 

This can lead to it taking more energy to keep your water hot, making your home less efficient and increasing the cost of your bills. Having your boiler serviced on a regular basis will help with this, ensuring that it is running at its full potential. Modern boilers are also a lot more efficient than older ones.

 

The Radiators

 

Alongside your boiler, your radiators can often be causing your home to use a lot more power than it needs to. Over time, air can get into these large metal vessels, forcing you to turn them up and using more power. You can bleed your radiator yourself, though it can be a messy procedure, and it’s often worth talking to a professional plumber to help you with this.

 

The Windows & Doors

 

Windows let light into your home, and doors make it possible to get inside without compromising your security. Both of these parts of the building you live in can let heat out of the place. Modern glass usually consists of two panes which have gas between them. This gas is a better insulator than air, and this means that it will keep heat inside your home more effectively.

 

This gas can leak, though, often resulting in windows losing their insulative properties, and a lot of secure doors have small windows on them. A window replacement company will be able to help you out with this, providing you with everything you need to make your windows and doors better at keeping the heat in.

 

The Lights

 

This next area is nice and easy to change. Old filament light bulbs use huge amounts of power compared to their LED counterparts. LED bulbs also last longer, cost less to run, and come with loads more features. You can even find ones which can cycle through different colors. This is something which most people can change for themselves, making it a worthy home upgrade.

 

The Refrigerator/Freezer

 

Cooling things down can take a huge amount of energy. It’s quite amazing that refrigerators and freezers have been around for such a long time, and just as remarkable that they can do their job so well in the first place. These devices can be less efficient when they have less in them, making them use more power. It’s always worth keeping these appliances stocked up, with the dense items inside them holding the chill much more effectively than air.

 

The Cooker

 

When thinking about ways to make cooking greener, a lot of people will find themselves at a loss. There aren’t many ways to approach something like this, though this appliance can use a huge amount of power, and this makes it worth looking for ways to make it better for the planet. Thankfully, there are a couple of easy options to choose from.

 

Cooking on the hob can be easier. When you’re using pans with hot liquids in them, lids will help them to heat up much faster, as they will lose less heat when they are covered. Making food smaller can help its cooking speed in the oven, too. Smaller pieces of meat and vegetables will cook much faster than they would if they were whole.

 

Keeping your home running efficiently can be a very difficult task. Many people struggle with this, but want to make positive changes in their lives. It will be far from impossible to do this in your kitchen and other rooms, and many people already have some of the tools they’ll need to get started.

Get Your Home Fit For Winter

When you think about your humble abode, the chances are that you are proud of where you live. You may have created a warm and welcoming property that is conducive to making family memories. However, with winter on the horizon, you need to consider the more practical aspects of your dwelling. You need to ensure that it can withstand the elements, that it keeps you warm and that it doesn’t suffer any damage to its integrity. Take a look at these winter checks you need to make to ensure that your home is ready for the coldest season of them all.

Image credit Pixabay – CC0 Licence

 

Roof

 

If you look up and inspect your roof, you need to be checking for slipped and cracked tiles and missing slate. With holes and gaps, your home will not be watertight. On occasions, you may find that rot has begun infiltrating the rafters of your home. If this is the case, it might be wise to replace rather than repair your roof. You need to ensure that your walls also have the same integrity as your roof otherwise, you could risk water seeping into your brick work. This can make damp permeate through your walls causing mold and black fungus growth. To prevent this, you need to consider applying a layer of fiber cement to your exterior. This will ensure that you have a weatherproof exterior that will withstand the elements.

 

Windows

 

If you haven’t had your glazing replaced in a while, you should be checking your seals and glass. If any seals are broken, then drafts can enter your home. This isn’t ideal when you are trying to settle down for the night with a good box set and some popcorn and all you feel is a cool breeze on your neck. You may need to replace one or more windows. If you do, ensure that you go for double glazing for both noise reduction and energy efficiency.

Image credit Pixabay – CC0 Licence

 

Boiler

 

Your boiler is the engine of your home. It will fire up your heating and power up your gas hob. Without hot water, you will be freezing in the winter and no central heating will make your nights very uncomfortable. You need to have your boiler serviced annually. Doing this will ensure that your boiler is in a constant functioning state. Some boilers are better than others, so if you are looking to replace yours, don’t opt for the cheapest choice. This can be a false economy resulting in a lot of call outs from the gas engineer. If you aren’t sure about the sort of boiler you should opt for, always go combi as these are more energy efficient and they will save you money in utility bills. Hook up your boiler to a smart thermostat and begin to control your heating from your phone. Doing this means you can create a warm ambience within your home, even if you are at work.

 

Your home should feel cozy, warm and welcoming in the winter time. Even though it might be blowing a gale outside, indoors it should be comfortable. Follow this guide and get your home fit for winter.