Going green without going in the red
If you are considering making changes to adopt a greener, more environmentally conscious way of life, then you may have concerns over potential cost. Does greener energy cost more, and do you need to invest in gadgets or devices to monitor your energy usage?
Will switching your car cost you more money than you can afford? In this article we take a look at a number of ways you can "go green" without breaking the bank.
Firstly, there are any number of small changes you can make around the home that will save energy and, importantly, will also save you money!
Turn down your radiators or your heating controls by a single degree and not only will you probably not even notice the difference, you'll see your bills shrink.
Alternatively, turn it down a few degrees and wear a jumper!
Similarly, there are great efficiencies to be made by using a lower heat setting when washing clothes, or, with summer approaching, by hanging clothes outside to dry rather than burning up energy with a tumble dryer.
One major change that could help with the environment and save you money is by switching your car to a more efficient model.
Hybrid cars remain fairly pricey, but there are plenty of lower budget models which now boast fuel economy approaching 80 or more miles per gallon and with very low emissions.
Will switching your car cost you more money than you can afford? In this article we take a look at a number of ways you can "go green" without breaking the bank.
Firstly, there are any number of small changes you can make around the home that will save energy and, importantly, will also save you money!
Turn down your radiators or your heating controls by a single degree and not only will you probably not even notice the difference, you'll see your bills shrink.
Alternatively, turn it down a few degrees and wear a jumper!
Similarly, there are great efficiencies to be made by using a lower heat setting when washing clothes, or, with summer approaching, by hanging clothes outside to dry rather than burning up energy with a tumble dryer.
One major change that could help with the environment and save you money is by switching your car to a more efficient model.
Hybrid cars remain fairly pricey, but there are plenty of lower budget models which now boast fuel economy approaching 80 or more miles per gallon and with very low emissions.
These will not only save on fuel and vehicle tax costs, they won't break the bank to buy. Alternatively, if you can't afford to change your car just yet, why not walk or ride a bike for shorter journeys. It'll save money and help get you fit into the bargain!
Another good way to help the environment and keep your costs low is by topping up your loft insulation or by getting cavity wall insulation.
Most of the major energy companies (together with other suppliers) offer these services at very low cost for most customers, and completely free for others. It's well worth checking to see if you qualify for an offer.
The government also offers Green Deal initiatives, where you can get a grant to make energy-efficient changes to your property (e.g. a new boiler or insulation) - there is no upfront cost and repayments come via your energy bill savings. Installing solar panels is also a way to generate your own electricity, though the market and opportunities available aren't quite as affordable as a couple of years ago - though do shop around and you can still find a good deal.
Many energy suppliers now offer ways for you to monitor your usage directly and alter your behaviour accordingly. Wall-mounted or handheld monitors are available free or at very low cost, so there's no need to spend a lot of money to track your use. Alternatively, keep an eye on your usage using online tools.
A big step you can make is in switching your energy supplier to adopt a green tariff. Many consumers are quite savvy when it comes to looking for a better deal on their energy supply, and there has been an increase in the type of tariffs offered. Some suppliers such as Ovo Energy now offer 100% renewable energy tariffs and are becoming major players in the marketplace as consumers seek greener power alternatives. The cost of these tariffs is also coming into line with other offerings - Today is a great time to start making big changes!
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