According to a recent article from Viessmann, homes in the UK account for around 20% of UK greenhouse emissions. This statistic alone should be enough to make us start thinking about how we can live a greener life, along with the fact that the nation is aiming to end its contribution to the global warming crisis by 2050!
In order to meet the 2050 target, a lot must be done from both the government and residents. To start with, we can all begin to think about ways we can change our homes to make them more environmentally friendly.
Invest in Technology
In recent years the government have invested in eco-schemes that see home owners gain grants for green adaptations such as solar panels. These schemes are a great step towards a greener future but there are simpler things everyone can do in their homes, from LED lighting and ground source heat pumps. However, even heat pumps can have problems. If your heat pump blower runs continuously, you should definitely get it replaced by an expert in this field!
Spaces for Nature
A key element to homes in the 21st century is creating space for nature. No matter whether you live in a city or in the country there are small things we can all do to attract nature to the home, such as window boxes that contain specific flowers or green spaces with wild flowers and trees.
Planting more trees and flowers can help to remove toxic chemicals from the air which results in more oxygen.
Sustainable Interiors
One of the easiest ways to create a sustainable home is to source products locally. This will cut down on CO2 emissions from transportation and will also help the local economy. As well as sourcing locally, considering the materials used is also important. One such material we may see more in the future is bamboo. Bamboo takes three to five years to grow which is much quicker than other wooden products.
For a glimpse into the home of the future, check out the image below from Viessmann that shares some of the eco-features we can look forward to using in coming years.
Cover by Josh Hemsley on Unsplash
