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Eco-friendly is all the rage right now and more people are adopting a greener lifestyle. Lower-emission living involves taking steps to reduce carbon emissions and living in a way that is not harmful to the environment.

Former football manager and player Harry Redknapp is a great example of someone who has switched to lower-emission living. He recently built an eco-friendly house that boasts many features designed to cut carbon emissions.

This included high-tech solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and water-saving systems. It has never been easier to achieve lower-emission living and adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Here are some suggestions to help you reduce your carbon footprint and live greener –

Book an energy assessment… 

Booking an energy assessment is a great place to start if you want to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. A qualified energy assessor visiting your property and conducting a thorough assessment determines the energy performance of your property.

According to experts at EPC For You: “the energy assessor will look at your heating system, the lighting system, how energy is kept in the property, the construction of the property itself, and its size.” Your property will then be given an energy rating of between A and G, with A being the most energy-efficient and G being the least.

You will be given recommendations to improve your energy performance by either installing new loft insulation or by your appliances. Completing the recommended upgrades will reduce carbon emissions and save you money on energy.

Embrace renewable energy…

There has been a huge push on renewable energy in recent years to help reduce pollution caused by fossil fuels, such as coal and gas. A record 42% of electricity in the UK was generated by renewables in 2020, meaning that renewable energy overtook fossil fuels for the first time in history.

Many homeowners and businesses are embracing renewable energy by having solar panel systems installed on the roofs of their properties. Solar panels harvest the sun’s rays and convert this energy into electricity. They can be a fantastic investment that starts making you money once you pay back the initial installation fees as solar electricity is cheaper than electricity from the main grid. Another way to embrace renewable energy is by switching to a green energy provider that uses sustainable sources like wind or solar. Switching is quick and simple, and many energy providers offer incentives such as vouchers or free gifts when you switch!

Upgrade your appliances…

Upgrading your household appliances is another easy way to reduce carbon emissions and save money on energy. Modern appliances are designed to be eco-friendly and use far less energy than their older counterparts. Always look for appliances with high energy ratings of either A or A+. Switching to energy-efficient appliances will reduce harmful emissions and save you money. Financial magazine, This Is Money states that you could save £113 a year by switching from a C-rated fridge freezer to A+++ rated one.

Reduce household waste…

Statistics show that the UK produces more than five million metric tons of household food waste every year.

Large volumes of this waste end up in landfills, where it slowly decomposes and releases greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.  If you want to adopt lower emissions living, then you must ensure that waste is recycled and reduce household waste when possible.

Here are some straightforward ways to minimise household waste and reduce environmental harm:

• Only buy the food you need and always check expiry dates to plan ahead.
• Use reusable bags for all your shopping needs.
• Avoid buying single-use plastic items like plastic water bottles and plastic straws.
• Create a compost bin in your garden so you can recycle food waste at home. You can compost a wide variety of items such as fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, and tea bags. The compost can even be used to fertilise plants and flowers in your garden!
• Reduce paper waste by choosing online bank statements and utility bills. You should also unsubscribe from mailings that are sent in the post.

Summary…

Global warming is having a devastating impact on our planet, and everyone should do their bit to help the environment.

Lower emission living can reduce environmental pollution and add to the longevity of the earth. Minor changes to your living arrangements and habits can make a big difference and it’s easier than ever to follow an eco-friendly lifestyle. Try some of the above suggestions and achieve lower emissions living today!