Taking inspiration from Earth Day, we're outlining the top 5 ways to make your home more environmentally-friendly. We hope to encourage sustainable living and get everyone thinking about how we can protect our planet for future generations. Why not spare a thought for our 5 energy-saving tips and see if you can't start to live a little greener today.

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5 Ways to Save Energy at Home

1. Insulate

One of the best ways you can keep your energy consumption (and bills) down is by ensuring your home is well insulated. Double or triple glaze your windows, check that your door seals are in working order and look at insulating your loft. For extra eco-brownie points, do some research about some of the great environmentally-friendly loft insulation options out there, including recycled newspapers and used coffee grounds.

2. Washing

Washing machines are like energy vampires! But set your spin cycle to cold and you can save an abundance of energy whilst also keeping your clothes clean and fresh. And during the warmer months it pays to dry your clothes outside on the line. Just make sure that you're always washing a full load in order to be as efficient as possible.

3. Energy Drains

Take a note of which electronics in your home automatically switch to stand-by mode and try to get into the habit of turning them off when you're done. Things like satellite boxes, computers and chargers are the usual culprits, so by turning these items off, you can reduce your energy consumption and save yourself some money in the long run too.

4. Switch to LED

Just by switching your normal incandescent bulbs to energy-saving LED ones can make a huge difference. Not only will you cut your energy usage, but over time they're the most economical option too.

5. Solar Power

Solar power is one of the easiest renewable energy forms that you can have in your home right now. From roof panels to garden lighting, solar power will help towards a more sustainable future for our planet. Although going solar can turn out to be a large investment in the beginning, overall solar panels are said to cut your energy costs by 50% per month. What are you waiting for?

Enjoyed this article? Then why not also check out our tips on how to organise your kitchen cupboards and learn how to grow your own vegetables at home.