Tips and tricks for a greener home
Whether you’re making small or big changes to your home, we can help. Our handy tips will show you how to make your home greener. And might just save you a few extra pounds.
Save Money: My Beautiful Green Home
We’re sponsoring the ITV show Save Money: My Beautiful Green Home. This is a new series showing some of the greenest homes, huts and small spaces in the UK. The programme wants to help people make their homes greener.
Tips and tricks
In the following videos, published in September 2021, Daisy Payne shows you how to make simple changes around your home for the health of our planet. Daisy is a passionate amateur gardener, social media influencer and gardening presenter, who regularly appears on ITV's This Morning.
Greener ways to heat and power your home
Here are some ideas for you to create and save energy and heat around the house, while reducing your carbon footprint.
Show transcript
1
00:00:02,200 --> 00:00:04,040
- According to the National Grid,
2
00:00:04,040 --> 00:00:07,920
the heating of our homes equates to 20%
3
00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:10,760
of the UK's carbon footprint,
4
00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:15,520
and if we are going to reach net zero by 2050 in the UK,
5
00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:19,760
we need a revolution in the way we heat our homes.
6
00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:23,960
Here are some ideas for you to create
7
00:00:23,960 --> 00:00:27,680
and save energy and heat around your home,
8
00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:30,160
while reducing your carbon footprint.
9
00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:38,080
Heat pumps are an energy efficient way to heat our homes.
10
00:00:38,080 --> 00:00:41,720
They eliminate the need for gas pipes and oil tanks
11
00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:44,760
and reduce our carbon emissions.
12
00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:47,880
The way they work is kind of like a reverse fridge -
13
00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:52,000
they take the heat from outside the home and put it inside.
14
00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:54,280
Since they deliver more heat energy
15
00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:56,840
than the electrical energy they consume,
16
00:00:56,840 --> 00:00:59,120
they're kinder for the planet.
17
00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:02,440
Heat pumps do have very high upfront costs,
18
00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:05,640
but they require very little maintenance.
19
00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:12,000
Solar panels are a great example
20
00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:14,360
of renewable energy technology
21
00:01:14,360 --> 00:01:17,440
and they use the sun rather than fossil fuels
22
00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:19,320
as their energy source.
23
00:01:19,320 --> 00:01:20,280
Even the energy
24
00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,920
just a few solar panels can produce
25
00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:25,760
can save you money from your electricity bills.
26
00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:29,120
The latest solar panels on the market have a life expectancy
27
00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:31,400
of about 40 to 50 years,
28
00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:35,360
and often the warranties cover at least half that.
29
00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:38,320
A solar battery like this one stores energy
30
00:01:38,320 --> 00:01:40,160
from the sun in the day
31
00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:43,600
and then enables you to power your home at night.
32
00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:46,960
But solar panels and heat pumps
33
00:01:46,960 --> 00:01:49,960
give us more control over our energy supplies,
34
00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:54,800
lower our costs and reduce our reliance on energy companies.
35
00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,240
Insulation and double glazing
36
00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:03,600
make our homes more energy efficient,
37
00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:07,680
reduce our energy costs and lower our carbon footprint.
38
00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:10,640
(Door thuds)
39
00:02:10,640 --> 00:02:13,160
Eco-friendly insulation is good news,
40
00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:16,520
both for our wallets and the environment.
41
00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:18,040
Minimal energy is required
42
00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,360
in the production of these materials
43
00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:23,240
and they're recyclable as well.
44
00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:25,560
Things like sheep's wool, hemp
45
00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:29,360
and thermacork are all good options for a healthy home.
46
00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:33,680
(Door closes)
47
00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:34,600
So, there you have it,
48
00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:38,640
a few ideas for sustainable energy in your home.
49
00:02:38,640 --> 00:02:42,000
Nationwide is passionate about sustainable energy
50
00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:45,280
and at our not-for-profit housing development in Swindon,
51
00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:49,440
all of the homes are off-gas and have solar panels.
00:00:02,200 --> 00:00:04,040
- According to the National Grid,
2
00:00:04,040 --> 00:00:07,920
the heating of our homes equates to 20%
3
00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:10,760
of the UK's carbon footprint,
4
00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:15,520
and if we are going to reach net zero by 2050 in the UK,
5
00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:19,760
we need a revolution in the way we heat our homes.
6
00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:23,960
Here are some ideas for you to create
7
00:00:23,960 --> 00:00:27,680
and save energy and heat around your home,
8
00:00:27,680 --> 00:00:30,160
while reducing your carbon footprint.
9
00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:38,080
Heat pumps are an energy efficient way to heat our homes.
10
00:00:38,080 --> 00:00:41,720
They eliminate the need for gas pipes and oil tanks
11
00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:44,760
and reduce our carbon emissions.
12
00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:47,880
The way they work is kind of like a reverse fridge -
13
00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:52,000
they take the heat from outside the home and put it inside.
14
00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:54,280
Since they deliver more heat energy
15
00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:56,840
than the electrical energy they consume,
16
00:00:56,840 --> 00:00:59,120
they're kinder for the planet.
17
00:00:59,120 --> 00:01:02,440
Heat pumps do have very high upfront costs,
18
00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:05,640
but they require very little maintenance.
19
00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:12,000
Solar panels are a great example
20
00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:14,360
of renewable energy technology
21
00:01:14,360 --> 00:01:17,440
and they use the sun rather than fossil fuels
22
00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:19,320
as their energy source.
23
00:01:19,320 --> 00:01:20,280
Even the energy
24
00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,920
just a few solar panels can produce
25
00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:25,760
can save you money from your electricity bills.
26
00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:29,120
The latest solar panels on the market have a life expectancy
27
00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:31,400
of about 40 to 50 years,
28
00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:35,360
and often the warranties cover at least half that.
29
00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:38,320
A solar battery like this one stores energy
30
00:01:38,320 --> 00:01:40,160
from the sun in the day
31
00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:43,600
and then enables you to power your home at night.
32
00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:46,960
But solar panels and heat pumps
33
00:01:46,960 --> 00:01:49,960
give us more control over our energy supplies,
34
00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:54,800
lower our costs and reduce our reliance on energy companies.
35
00:01:59,360 --> 00:02:01,240
Insulation and double glazing
36
00:02:01,240 --> 00:02:03,600
make our homes more energy efficient,
37
00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:07,680
reduce our energy costs and lower our carbon footprint.
38
00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:10,640
(Door thuds)
39
00:02:10,640 --> 00:02:13,160
Eco-friendly insulation is good news,
40
00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:16,520
both for our wallets and the environment.
41
00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:18,040
Minimal energy is required
42
00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,360
in the production of these materials
43
00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:23,240
and they're recyclable as well.
44
00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:25,560
Things like sheep's wool, hemp
45
00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:29,360
and thermacork are all good options for a healthy home.
46
00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:33,680
(Door closes)
47
00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:34,600
So, there you have it,
48
00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:38,640
a few ideas for sustainable energy in your home.
49
00:02:38,640 --> 00:02:42,000
Nationwide is passionate about sustainable energy
50
00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:45,280
and at our not-for-profit housing development in Swindon,
51
00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:49,440
all of the homes are off-gas and have solar panels.
Make your bathroom greener
A few simple things you can do to make your bathroom more sustainable.
Show transcript
1
00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:03,080
According to a recent B&Q survey,
2
00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:07,840
we'll spend 416 days of our lives in the bathroom,
3
00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:09,200
so it stands to reason
4
00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:11,360
that the way we use our bathroom can have
5
00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:13,720
a big impact on the environment.
6
00:00:13,720 --> 00:00:16,200
So I'm here today to show you a few simple ways
7
00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:17,720
that you can be more sustainable
8
00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:20,000
when you're renovating your bathroom.
9
00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:25,880
(Water running)
10
00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:28,640
Drinking water is a scarce resource
11
00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:30,480
that needs to be preserved.
12
00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:32,960
Every single day in the UK
13
00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:37,960
over three billion litres of water is wasted.
14
00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:40,480
A leaky toilet can waste anything
15
00:00:40,480 --> 00:00:45,040
from 200 to 400 litres of water every day.
16
00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:47,920
A dual flush toilet is more expensive,
17
00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:49,680
but it does use less water,
18
00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:51,560
so it's better for the environment.
19
00:00:52,480 --> 00:00:53,920
(Water flushing)
20
00:00:53,920 --> 00:00:56,440
We all love a bath don't we?
21
00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:59,760
But a bath can use up to 80 litres of water,
22
00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:02,640
so providing you don't spend too long under the shower,
23
00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:05,160
water can be saved.
24
00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:08,720
Egg timers like this one and flow regulators can be used
25
00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:10,600
as water saving devices,
26
00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:12,440
and sometimes they're provided
27
00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:14,680
by your water authority for free.
28
00:01:18,080 --> 00:01:23,040
Brushing your teeth can waste up to six litres of water,
29
00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:27,200
but installing a tap aerator like this one can control
30
00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:29,720
the amount of water flowing through the tap
31
00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:31,560
without affecting the water pressure.
32
00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:38,400
To be more sustainable, we all need to cut back
33
00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:41,480
on our electricity usage where we can,
34
00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:43,040
and according to figures
35
00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:45,160
from the Energy Saving Trust,
36
00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:48,200
lighting accounts for 15%
37
00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:52,720
of the average home's electricity energy usage,
38
00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:55,840
so when it comes to renovating your bathroom,
39
00:01:55,840 --> 00:01:58,080
let in that natural light.
40
00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:03,440
I don't know about you
41
00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:07,480
but I have a lot of cosmetics and toiletries,
42
00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,360
and if you're not careful, it can all add up
43
00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:12,480
into a mountain of plastic,
44
00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:15,320
but there all alternatives out there.
45
00:02:15,320 --> 00:02:17,880
Soap and shampoo bars are great
46
00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:21,600
because there's absolutely no plastic involved,
47
00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:22,800
and you'll often find
48
00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:25,480
that because they're made from more natural ingredients,
49
00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:28,920
they're kinder on your scalp and your skin.
50
00:02:28,920 --> 00:02:31,200
Refillable bottles are great.
51
00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:33,160
The concept is you buy it once
52
00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:35,320
and then keep topping it up,
53
00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:37,600
therefore saving on plastic.
54
00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:39,760
One thing you can do to make your bathroom more
55
00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:43,520
environmentally friendly is use eco toilet roll.
56
00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:46,120
This toilet roll is made from bamboo.
57
00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:49,400
It's usually available at most supermarkets,
58
00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:52,120
and the quality is just as good.
59
00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:55,120
So there you go, a few small changes that you can make
60
00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:58,480
in your bathroom to make it more sustainable.
00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:03,080
According to a recent B&Q survey,
2
00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:07,840
we'll spend 416 days of our lives in the bathroom,
3
00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:09,200
so it stands to reason
4
00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:11,360
that the way we use our bathroom can have
5
00:00:11,360 --> 00:00:13,720
a big impact on the environment.
6
00:00:13,720 --> 00:00:16,200
So I'm here today to show you a few simple ways
7
00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:17,720
that you can be more sustainable
8
00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:20,000
when you're renovating your bathroom.
9
00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:25,880
(Water running)
10
00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:28,640
Drinking water is a scarce resource
11
00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:30,480
that needs to be preserved.
12
00:00:30,480 --> 00:00:32,960
Every single day in the UK
13
00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:37,960
over three billion litres of water is wasted.
14
00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:40,480
A leaky toilet can waste anything
15
00:00:40,480 --> 00:00:45,040
from 200 to 400 litres of water every day.
16
00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:47,920
A dual flush toilet is more expensive,
17
00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:49,680
but it does use less water,
18
00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:51,560
so it's better for the environment.
19
00:00:52,480 --> 00:00:53,920
(Water flushing)
20
00:00:53,920 --> 00:00:56,440
We all love a bath don't we?
21
00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:59,760
But a bath can use up to 80 litres of water,
22
00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:02,640
so providing you don't spend too long under the shower,
23
00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:05,160
water can be saved.
24
00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:08,720
Egg timers like this one and flow regulators can be used
25
00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:10,600
as water saving devices,
26
00:01:10,600 --> 00:01:12,440
and sometimes they're provided
27
00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:14,680
by your water authority for free.
28
00:01:18,080 --> 00:01:23,040
Brushing your teeth can waste up to six litres of water,
29
00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:27,200
but installing a tap aerator like this one can control
30
00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:29,720
the amount of water flowing through the tap
31
00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:31,560
without affecting the water pressure.
32
00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:38,400
To be more sustainable, we all need to cut back
33
00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:41,480
on our electricity usage where we can,
34
00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:43,040
and according to figures
35
00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:45,160
from the Energy Saving Trust,
36
00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:48,200
lighting accounts for 15%
37
00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:52,720
of the average home's electricity energy usage,
38
00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:55,840
so when it comes to renovating your bathroom,
39
00:01:55,840 --> 00:01:58,080
let in that natural light.
40
00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:03,440
I don't know about you
41
00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:07,480
but I have a lot of cosmetics and toiletries,
42
00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,360
and if you're not careful, it can all add up
43
00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:12,480
into a mountain of plastic,
44
00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:15,320
but there all alternatives out there.
45
00:02:15,320 --> 00:02:17,880
Soap and shampoo bars are great
46
00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:21,600
because there's absolutely no plastic involved,
47
00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:22,800
and you'll often find
48
00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:25,480
that because they're made from more natural ingredients,
49
00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:28,920
they're kinder on your scalp and your skin.
50
00:02:28,920 --> 00:02:31,200
Refillable bottles are great.
51
00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:33,160
The concept is you buy it once
52
00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:35,320
and then keep topping it up,
53
00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:37,600
therefore saving on plastic.
54
00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:39,760
One thing you can do to make your bathroom more
55
00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:43,520
environmentally friendly is use eco toilet roll.
56
00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:46,120
This toilet roll is made from bamboo.
57
00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:49,400
It's usually available at most supermarkets,
58
00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:52,120
and the quality is just as good.
59
00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:55,120
So there you go, a few small changes that you can make
60
00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:58,480
in your bathroom to make it more sustainable.
Make your garden greener
Gardens aren’t just for BBQs, pretty flowers and sunbathing. They have a role to play in sustainable living as well. See how you can change your outside space.
Show transcript
1
00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,760
Gardens aren't just for sunbathing
2
00:00:02,760 --> 00:00:05,080
and for pretty flowers and barbecues,
3
00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:09,320
they have a role to play in sustainable living as well.
4
00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:11,320
Sustainable gardening is one way
5
00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:12,880
we can give back to the earth
6
00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,000
and provide a better future for us
7
00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:17,000
and the wildlife around us.
8
00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:24,240
Water is one of our most precious resources
9
00:00:24,240 --> 00:00:26,520
and we use an incredible amount of energy
10
00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:30,400
to treat and pump water into our homes,
11
00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:32,240
so when it comes to our gardens,
12
00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:36,400
we need to use the water that nature has provided us with.
13
00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:39,400
So water butts are the way forward.
14
00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:44,760
Water butts save and reuse rainwater,
15
00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:47,920
reducing our water consumption and at the same time,
16
00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:49,800
reducing our water bill.
17
00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:54,240
The average roof collects 85,000 litres of water,
18
00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:57,400
enough to fill 450 water butts.
19
00:00:57,400 --> 00:00:59,880
They're affordable and easy to fit
20
00:00:59,880 --> 00:01:02,600
and most are made from recycled plastic,
21
00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:05,000
so they're eco-friendly too.
22
00:01:09,960 --> 00:01:13,160
The last few years have led more of us to see the value
23
00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:16,520
in having our own sustainable garden -
24
00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:18,720
it cuts down on our food miles
25
00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:21,600
and helps reduce our carbon footprint.
26
00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:23,400
So here are a few basic tips
27
00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,400
to growing your own self-sufficient garden.
28
00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:27,720
Look for the sun.
29
00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,280
Your plants, particularly vegetable plants,
30
00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:33,280
will need from six to seven hours of sunlight every day
31
00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:35,800
to grow big and juicy.
32
00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:39,600
And plant seasonally to stretch out your harvest period
33
00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:41,400
throughout the whole year
34
00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:44,920
and add plenty of greenery into your garden.
35
00:01:44,920 --> 00:01:46,840
The more greenery we create,
36
00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:49,240
the more carbon we pull from the atmosphere.
37
00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:54,000
Our gardens are so important for wildlife.
38
00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:57,760
It gives them the habitat they need to thrive,
39
00:01:57,760 --> 00:01:59,880
and you can invite birds into your garden
40
00:01:59,880 --> 00:02:01,720
by the plants that you choose,
41
00:02:01,720 --> 00:02:05,640
and you can add really cool things like bug hotels
42
00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:09,600
and hedgehog highways and bee hotels like this one.
43
00:02:09,600 --> 00:02:12,360
(Music)
44
00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:18,040
According to the European Commission,
45
00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:23,080
the UK produces the highest amount of food waste in Europe,
46
00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:25,240
and while many of us will get some of our food waste
47
00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:27,040
collected by our local council,
48
00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:30,960
did you know that you can actually home compost it?
49
00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:34,200
Compost bins are really inexpensive,
50
00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:38,000
pop it on a level site and then add in things
51
00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:42,640
like food waste, garden waste like grass clippings
52
00:02:42,640 --> 00:02:46,800
and leaves, but don't add any meat or dairy.
53
00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:50,120
So there you go,
54
00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:54,400
a few green tips to make your garden more sustainable.
55
00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:55,760
It's good for wildlife,
56
00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:58,480
and trust me, it's good for the soul too.
00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,760
Gardens aren't just for sunbathing
2
00:00:02,760 --> 00:00:05,080
and for pretty flowers and barbecues,
3
00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:09,320
they have a role to play in sustainable living as well.
4
00:00:09,320 --> 00:00:11,320
Sustainable gardening is one way
5
00:00:11,320 --> 00:00:12,880
we can give back to the earth
6
00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,000
and provide a better future for us
7
00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:17,000
and the wildlife around us.
8
00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:24,240
Water is one of our most precious resources
9
00:00:24,240 --> 00:00:26,520
and we use an incredible amount of energy
10
00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:30,400
to treat and pump water into our homes,
11
00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:32,240
so when it comes to our gardens,
12
00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:36,400
we need to use the water that nature has provided us with.
13
00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:39,400
So water butts are the way forward.
14
00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:44,760
Water butts save and reuse rainwater,
15
00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:47,920
reducing our water consumption and at the same time,
16
00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:49,800
reducing our water bill.
17
00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:54,240
The average roof collects 85,000 litres of water,
18
00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:57,400
enough to fill 450 water butts.
19
00:00:57,400 --> 00:00:59,880
They're affordable and easy to fit
20
00:00:59,880 --> 00:01:02,600
and most are made from recycled plastic,
21
00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:05,000
so they're eco-friendly too.
22
00:01:09,960 --> 00:01:13,160
The last few years have led more of us to see the value
23
00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:16,520
in having our own sustainable garden -
24
00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:18,720
it cuts down on our food miles
25
00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:21,600
and helps reduce our carbon footprint.
26
00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:23,400
So here are a few basic tips
27
00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:26,400
to growing your own self-sufficient garden.
28
00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:27,720
Look for the sun.
29
00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,280
Your plants, particularly vegetable plants,
30
00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:33,280
will need from six to seven hours of sunlight every day
31
00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:35,800
to grow big and juicy.
32
00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:39,600
And plant seasonally to stretch out your harvest period
33
00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:41,400
throughout the whole year
34
00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:44,920
and add plenty of greenery into your garden.
35
00:01:44,920 --> 00:01:46,840
The more greenery we create,
36
00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:49,240
the more carbon we pull from the atmosphere.
37
00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:54,000
Our gardens are so important for wildlife.
38
00:01:54,000 --> 00:01:57,760
It gives them the habitat they need to thrive,
39
00:01:57,760 --> 00:01:59,880
and you can invite birds into your garden
40
00:01:59,880 --> 00:02:01,720
by the plants that you choose,
41
00:02:01,720 --> 00:02:05,640
and you can add really cool things like bug hotels
42
00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:09,600
and hedgehog highways and bee hotels like this one.
43
00:02:09,600 --> 00:02:12,360
(Music)
44
00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:18,040
According to the European Commission,
45
00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:23,080
the UK produces the highest amount of food waste in Europe,
46
00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:25,240
and while many of us will get some of our food waste
47
00:02:25,240 --> 00:02:27,040
collected by our local council,
48
00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:30,960
did you know that you can actually home compost it?
49
00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:34,200
Compost bins are really inexpensive,
50
00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:38,000
pop it on a level site and then add in things
51
00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:42,640
like food waste, garden waste like grass clippings
52
00:02:42,640 --> 00:02:46,800
and leaves, but don't add any meat or dairy.
53
00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:50,120
So there you go,
54
00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:54,400
a few green tips to make your garden more sustainable.
55
00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:55,760
It's good for wildlife,
56
00:02:55,760 --> 00:02:58,480
and trust me, it's good for the soul too.
Making your kitchen greener
From recycling our food waste to cutting down on plastic packaging, here are some ideas to consider for your kitchen.
Show transcript
1
00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:03,400
It's a startling fact, but according to figures
2
00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:05,760
from the Office of National Statistics,
3
00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:10,080
our homes account for 326 million tonnes
4
00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:13,000
of carbon emissions in the UK.
5
00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:14,640
That has to change.
6
00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:17,680
Sustainable living is achievable for us all,
7
00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:20,200
and we can all make a difference,
8
00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:22,720
so I'm going to show you a few tips and tricks
9
00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:26,800
to take into consideration when you're renovating your home.
10
00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:34,120
The longer a kitchen lasts, the more sustainable it is,
11
00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:36,640
so when you're doing work in the kitchen,
12
00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:40,160
go for materials that are strong and built to last.
13
00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:46,040
Think about using recycled materials
14
00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:47,640
when you're doing up your kitchen.
15
00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:50,160
Reclaimed wood can be a great alternative
16
00:00:50,160 --> 00:00:52,160
for your kitchen worktops.
17
00:00:52,160 --> 00:00:56,280
You can find worktops that are made from 100% recycled glass
18
00:00:56,280 --> 00:00:59,840
or mixed in with other materials, such as quartz.
19
00:00:59,840 --> 00:01:02,840
As an attractive and sturdy alternative
20
00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:07,120
to hardwood flooring, bamboo can be tough to beat,
21
00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:12,080
and it can grow in some cases up to three feet per day.
22
00:01:15,960 --> 00:01:18,040
Technology is ever-evolving
23
00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:20,760
and so many of our old kitchen appliances
24
00:01:20,760 --> 00:01:23,280
have now been superseded by new,
25
00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:25,280
more energy efficient models.
26
00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:28,000
So, when you're renovating your home,
27
00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:31,520
it is worth thinking about putting new appliances in,
28
00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:35,880
and always go for the highest energy efficiency rating
29
00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:36,800
you can afford.
30
00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,360
Although more costly, an induction hub
31
00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:44,600
is a great energy efficient option.
32
00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:47,680
They use all of the heat generated
33
00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:52,000
and very little is lost around the outside of the pan.
34
00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,400
They also cook quicker too.
35
00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:59,600
A fully loaded dishwasher can be more water efficient
36
00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:01,720
than washing by hand,
37
00:02:01,720 --> 00:02:04,960
and always make sure you're using an energy efficient
38
00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:06,960
or eco-saving mode -
39
00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:10,040
it uses less water and less energy.
40
00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:14,560
If you only boil the water you actually need,
41
00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:16,800
rather than filling the kettle up every time,
42
00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:19,240
you could be saving yourself up to six pounds
43
00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:21,440
on your energy bill every year,
44
00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:23,520
and it does use less water
45
00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:25,280
so it's better for the environment.
46
00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:30,280
Bokashi is an alternative to composting kitchen waste
47
00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:33,600
with very little mess and no nasty smells.
48
00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:35,600
It originates in Japan
49
00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:37,720
and it's a fermentation technique
50
00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:39,640
where you add in your food scraps,
51
00:02:39,640 --> 00:02:41,560
add this special Bokashi brand
52
00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:44,600
and then it starts to ferment
53
00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:46,440
over the course of a couple of weeks.
54
00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:52,720
It creates a really nutritious mulch for your garden.
55
00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:53,800
So there you go,
56
00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:55,560
a few simple tips to consider
57
00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:57,960
when you're renovating your kitchen.
00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:03,400
It's a startling fact, but according to figures
2
00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:05,760
from the Office of National Statistics,
3
00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:10,080
our homes account for 326 million tonnes
4
00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:13,000
of carbon emissions in the UK.
5
00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:14,640
That has to change.
6
00:00:14,640 --> 00:00:17,680
Sustainable living is achievable for us all,
7
00:00:17,680 --> 00:00:20,200
and we can all make a difference,
8
00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:22,720
so I'm going to show you a few tips and tricks
9
00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:26,800
to take into consideration when you're renovating your home.
10
00:00:30,280 --> 00:00:34,120
The longer a kitchen lasts, the more sustainable it is,
11
00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:36,640
so when you're doing work in the kitchen,
12
00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:40,160
go for materials that are strong and built to last.
13
00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:46,040
Think about using recycled materials
14
00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:47,640
when you're doing up your kitchen.
15
00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:50,160
Reclaimed wood can be a great alternative
16
00:00:50,160 --> 00:00:52,160
for your kitchen worktops.
17
00:00:52,160 --> 00:00:56,280
You can find worktops that are made from 100% recycled glass
18
00:00:56,280 --> 00:00:59,840
or mixed in with other materials, such as quartz.
19
00:00:59,840 --> 00:01:02,840
As an attractive and sturdy alternative
20
00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:07,120
to hardwood flooring, bamboo can be tough to beat,
21
00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:12,080
and it can grow in some cases up to three feet per day.
22
00:01:15,960 --> 00:01:18,040
Technology is ever-evolving
23
00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:20,760
and so many of our old kitchen appliances
24
00:01:20,760 --> 00:01:23,280
have now been superseded by new,
25
00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:25,280
more energy efficient models.
26
00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:28,000
So, when you're renovating your home,
27
00:01:28,000 --> 00:01:31,520
it is worth thinking about putting new appliances in,
28
00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:35,880
and always go for the highest energy efficiency rating
29
00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:36,800
you can afford.
30
00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:40,360
Although more costly, an induction hub
31
00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:44,600
is a great energy efficient option.
32
00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:47,680
They use all of the heat generated
33
00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:52,000
and very little is lost around the outside of the pan.
34
00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,400
They also cook quicker too.
35
00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:59,600
A fully loaded dishwasher can be more water efficient
36
00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:01,720
than washing by hand,
37
00:02:01,720 --> 00:02:04,960
and always make sure you're using an energy efficient
38
00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:06,960
or eco-saving mode -
39
00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:10,040
it uses less water and less energy.
40
00:02:10,040 --> 00:02:14,560
If you only boil the water you actually need,
41
00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:16,800
rather than filling the kettle up every time,
42
00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:19,240
you could be saving yourself up to six pounds
43
00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:21,440
on your energy bill every year,
44
00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:23,520
and it does use less water
45
00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:25,280
so it's better for the environment.
46
00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:30,280
Bokashi is an alternative to composting kitchen waste
47
00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:33,600
with very little mess and no nasty smells.
48
00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:35,600
It originates in Japan
49
00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:37,720
and it's a fermentation technique
50
00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:39,640
where you add in your food scraps,
51
00:02:39,640 --> 00:02:41,560
add this special Bokashi brand
52
00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:44,600
and then it starts to ferment
53
00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:46,440
over the course of a couple of weeks.
54
00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:52,720
It creates a really nutritious mulch for your garden.
55
00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:53,800
So there you go,
56
00:02:53,800 --> 00:02:55,560
a few simple tips to consider
57
00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:57,960
when you're renovating your kitchen.