Get serious about saving water - fix leaks and dripping taps, some really small lifestyle changes can make a difference too, don’t run the tap when brushing your teeth, install a low flush shower head and take a shower rather than a bath

Turn it off – hit the off button rather than leaving your electricals on standby – you could see huge improvements, most noticeably in your energy bills

Install a smart meter and ensure it is only turned on at certain times of the day, turn down your energy heater too  – this can help reduce your carbon footprint and decrease energy bills.

Energy efficient light bulbs use less electricity but also last longer (some may last up to 13 years each!) saving money on replacing them

Install solar panels – providing you with completely clean electricity, they can sometimes make enough energy to enable you to sell some back to the grid

Fill your dishwasher all the way before running it, and if you can’t resist using it, run on the ‘top rack only’ instead of doing a full cycle – and if possible run later at night in off peak hours

Embrace natural cleaning products – using chemicals to clean is very bad for the environment, when you wash them away, you are simply putting them back into the environment – this means the water will take more purification before it is safe to use again. Day to day products like vinegar, citric acid from citric fruits and bicarbonate of soda can be used in place of caustic chemicals to great effect

One of the smartest ways to improve your home’s eco-friendliness is to ensure that you use as little energy as possible. Investing in insulation is a great way to do this . Good insulation will hold in the heat meaning you don’t need to burn energy re-heating the home all the time. Within the walls and the roof are the areas to consider but it can also be smart to consider double glazing any windows.

Have your food shop delivered – one van driving around is much better than having hundreds of cars making their way to the supermarket

Use your microwave – much more energy efficient than conventional ovens, and try not to keep the oven door open when switched on

Don’t waste Kitchen scraps and leftovers, simply place a compost bin in your garden – it is surprising how much food that you currently throw away can be recycled

Buy re-cycled – whenever you notice there is a recycled option available, for something like kitchen roll it may be worth purchasing, and use fewer of them too – not only can you buy re-cycled paper but also technology like gaming consoles, mobiles

and finally… buy local, the closer to home products are made and bought the less carbon is created with their transportation – not only that but you’ll be supporting the local community  – Bramhope, North Leeds has some amazing local shops using local produce – it is a great place to live too, surrounded by beautiful countryside, with a great infrastructure to help you make the most of an eco- friendly lifestyle .

for further details call David Phillip Estate Agents t ; 01134 676 400 w: davidphillip.co.uk