Five ways to be greener in 2015

Millions of householders are looking forward to being leaner and greener in 2015 by making energy savings around the home. Ways to start running a greener ship include switching to renewable energy sources like solar, wind or biofuels, or taking some simple steps to save water. This week saw global business Amazon vowing to run its cloud computing division on 100% renewable energy, echoing similar commitments made by Apple, Google and Facebook – all proving the prominence of green resolutions!

Whether you’re a big business or a small household, there are plenty of ways to live greener values, especially when it comes to energy usage. To help you use less electricity and gas at home, and save money on your energy bills, we have compiled the following tips.

Waste less, stay warmer

Average families spend £1,500 heating, powering and lighting their homes, which is why it pays for your pocket and the planet to make use of every penny spent. Having a properly insulated home is crucial, and before reaching for the heating switch why not scatter more soft furnishings? Think draught excluders, an extra bedspread, heavier curtains, carpets or rugs, all at New Year’s sales prices!

Wash away bad habits

Just a few straightforward measures can revive your home’s relationship with water. A cheap and cheerful water butt can water your home-grown veggies in place of the hosepipe, while a shower uses far less water than a bath and washing full loads of washing saves time, energy and water.  

Could you be a community energy pioneer?

A new initiative offers people the chance to benefit from local energy projects, such as wind turbines and hydroelectric power plants. Residents living near wind farms could soon buy stakes in energy production, reported The Independent, and Edward Davey, UK energy secretary, said the idea could “revolutionise” a shift from fossil fuels like gas, oil and coal.

He said: “By giving communities the opportunity to buy in and benefit from renewable energy developments in their area, they can play their part in generating power at a local level which could supply enough electricity for 1 million homes by 2020.”

Walk, ride or cycle more

Drivers can all do their bit to ease congestion on the roads and cut the emissions they produce. The benefits of walking or cycling shorter distances are not just environmental; it can also save you money and provide healthy exercise. Even bus companies are getting serious about going green: there’s a Guardian’s report on Britain’s first “bio-bus” powered by human and food waste.

Unplug old fridges and freezers

The fridge or chest freezer you’ve owned since the year 2000 could be costing you dearly in energy usage, so consider upgrading to a new, energy-efficient model in the sales. Figures suggest that one in five households could save around £40 per year by following this tip.

Amanda Walters