Sustainability focus: Ways to reduce your carbon footprint

With the global drive to become more sustainable gathering pace by the day, we’ve decided to shine a light on sustainability.

Because while the sustainability challenge may be widespread, we can all do our bit to reduce our carbon footprint and, more importantly, help save the planet. Learn more about the UK’s commitment to becoming net zero and the progress achieved so far, here.

What can we do to live a more sustainable life?

There are lots of things we can do, which doesn’t necessarily involve making major sweeping changes to how we live our lives. Starting the smallest new habits can play just as important a role in being more environmentally conscious and setting you on a greener pathway.

1. Grow your own

The rising cost of living has reportedly resulted in more people growing their own fruit and veg in their gardens, balconies and allotments. At the same time, the ‘Grow your own’ boom is helping reduce waste – according to wider research, those who grow their own fruit and veg waste an average of just 3.4kg of produce, 95% less than the UK average. There’s also the wealth of physical and mental benefits to factor in, for example, all of the digging and lifting can be a great calorie-burning workout. Meanwhile, being outside is great for de-stressing, especially on a bright and sunny day.

2. Don’t waste water

Pressures, including climate change and a growing population, mean the UK could be facing a five billion litre public water shortage crisis by 2055. Making a conscious effort to reduce your water usage means you can do your bit and potentially save yourself some money. Every day water-saving habits include having a shower rather than a bath, only putting your washing machine on when it’s full, turning the tap off while you’re brushing your teeth and using the dishwasher instead of washing up by hand.

3. Small sustainable swaps

From travel mugs to metal straws and bamboo water bottles, the push to move away from single-use items and invest in longer-life alternatives is fast becoming the norm. Spearheaded by high street coffee brands with their reusable merchandise, coupled with social media-fueled crazes for the latest reusable items, such as Stanley water tumblers, the reuse market continues to go from strength to strength. Other reusable items include beeswax sandwich wraps, jute shopping bags and refillable laundry bottles. You can find more ideas here.

4. Rethink your lighting

With most houses tending to have a light in every single room, switching to more energy efficient lightbulbs can instantly make a big difference. LED bulbs are specifically designed to help save energy – they use up to 80% less electricity than halogen bulbs. They also last up to 20x longer, making them a worthy investment all around, and when you go down the ‘smart’ route by installing systems that enable you to control your lights, heating and security via your phone, the potential to reduce energy and save money is accelerated.

5. Embrace renewable energy

Renewable systems, such as solar panels, air source heat pumps and biomass heating systems, are increasingly being incentivised by the Government and energy providers. They are installed in properties, especially new builds, to help people heat and run their homes more efficiently. According to Eon Energy, air source heat pumps can generate savings of more than £1,000 a year.

How we’re championing sustainability at Russell Homes

Thanks to our award-winning, green-led design approach, sustainability is woven into all of our developments, which means our new homes benefit from the following environmentally-focused features, as standard:

• A/A+ rated kitchen and bathroom energy and water saving fixtures and fittings
• Solar PV roof panels
• Electric vehicle charging points as standard
• A-rated condensing boilers that operate at 90-98% efficiency levels
• 500mm loft insulation
• Insulated external doors
• Argon-filled and low-emission coated double glazing units, incorporating Planitherm Total+ Low E glass

Sustainability is the future and is something we can all embrace. We hope the ideas above help set you on a pathway to a new, environmentally-focused journey and accelerate your efforts if your journey has already begun.

Want to learn more about our green-led design which has recently featured in Professional Housebuilder and Property Developer? Head over to this blog, which contains an introduction to the double page feature, as well as link to the full article from our Design Manager, Neil Walker.