An opportunity to get some interior design inspiration as well as hear from real life purchasers about their home buying journey.
A sustainable life at home
At BoKlok, we are committed to delivering new homes that are built in a sustainable way, thereby reducing our impact on the environment.
We aim to incorporate many measures within our homes that will assist our future homeowners to save energy and as a result, money too!
From including/making provisions for electric car charging points to using the highest efficiency-rated boilers available and installing water-saving taps, showers and toilets, we want to assist our purchasers in reducing their energy use, wherever possible.
However, there are a number of additional steps that you can take in your home to help reduce your energy consumption (and your fuel bills) even further.
Here are a few of our top eco tips for living a more sustainable life at home:
Don't Waste Your Wash
Always use your washing machine on the lowest temperature settings
Bio washing powder contains enzymes that are specifically chosen because they work at this temperature. If you crank the temperature up then it can actually make the washing powder ineffective.
Fill it up!
If your washing machine doesn’t have a half load setting – make sure you have a full load before putting it on.
Reduce Your Electricity Consumption
Replace your lighting with low energy LED lights
They not only use 90% less energy but they also last 10-20 times longer, so you will hardly ever have to replace them.
Turn lights off when you leave the room
This is one that parents (who tend to pay the energy bills) forever tell their kids. It is definitely worth it, especially if you haven’t made the swap to LED lights.
Install motion detector lights
There is no point leaving lights on if no-one is there to benefit from them. Motion detector lights are also a good deterrent against unwanted visitors.
Avoid leaving electronics on standby
Even when things are on standby, they still use some energy! Turning everything off at the plug ensures that NO electricity is used.
Watch less television!
This may be easier said than done but try reading a book instead! Reading a book is proven to be more relaxing than watching TV and a book doesn’t require electricity to run!
Cook Considerately
Allow cooked food to cool before putting it in the fridge / freezer
Otherwise the fridge / freezer will have to work harder to cool it down – using more energy.
Use microwaves to reheat food as opposed to the oven
Microwaves heat up the food far quicker and they typically use only 20% of the energy required to run a full size oven.
Only boil as much water as you need
(i.e. don’t boil a kettle full of water for one cup of tea.)
Put lids on pots and pans to reduce cooking times
You should also try to match the size of the burner to the right pot or pan – putting a small pan on a huge burner or electric hob will just waste electricity.
Don't Waste Water
Limit the length of your shower
We know that sometimes, nothing beats a nice long shower; but if you can try and keep these extended stays to a minimum you are going to save energy and reduce your bills.
Turn your tap off while brushing your teeth
This avoids wasting water unnecessarily.
Fill the sink with hot water before you shave
Using a sink full of water rather than a running tap is better because you will use significantly less hot water.
Retain Heat
Shut windows during the winter
It may seem a bit obvious, but if the heating is on and you are letting all the hot air escape straight out of the window, then you are wasting energy and money!
Install heavy curtains and make sure you close them at night
This acts as a barrier to prevent heat loss out of the home.
Avoid blocking radiators with furniture
This will allow convection currents to flow around the room and the hot air will be felt across the room quicker.
Re-cycle and Re-use
Rechargeable batteries
It’s much better for the environment than buying ones that have to be thrown away. This can save you money in the long run too.
Recycle whatever you can
Think plastic, paper and even food stuff (in a composter/food bin). Rather than always buying new, also think about up-cycling old furniture - give it a new lease of life rather than throwing it away!
Reduce Your Fuel Consumption
Carpooling saves fuel
Find people at work who live close to you and take it in turns driving to work, you’ll get someone to chat to on the way and you’ll halve your fuel bill.
Go electric
All of our developments include electric car charging points and /or provision for these.
Make Small Changes
Open windows instead of relying on an extractor fan
If no electricity is used, there’s no cost!
Turn down the thermostat by a couple of degrees
18 or 19 degrees is about the norm here in the UK.
Grow your own fruit and veg
Whether in your garden or in pots on the balcony – it not only saves you money, but you can save on fuel since you don’t need to go down to the shops so often. Also, we think that home grown produce tastes better!
