10 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE ECO FRIENDLY
1 Switch to LED lighting
We might all think we’ve switched to more eco-friendly lighting, but if you had a proper look at every bulb in your home, would the reality be somewhat different? When you realise that lighting accounts for around 15 per cent of the average home’s electricity bills, it’s certainly worth making the switch to more energy-efficient LED bulbs, a move that could save you around £40 per year according to the Energy Saving Trust. Want to go further? By opting for smart bulbs (try the Philips Hue) you can control your lighting via your phone, meaning you can set lighting schedules (great for added home security), and turn lights on/off from any location, an ideal option if you have kids who always forget to switch off the lights before leaving the house, for instance.
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To save costs and energy, make sure exterior lights are sensor operated or on a timer so they’re not accidentally left on when not needed
2. GET A SMART THERMOSTAT
Guilty of having your heating set to come on at the same time each day, regardless of whether or not you’re home? Get control of your central heating system (and your bills) and stop wasting energy by investing in a smart thermostat, which allows you to remotely control your heating via your smart phone, tablet, computer or a smart assistant. Smart thermostats, such as the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (£219 from the Google Store),
