Being Eco Friendly When You’re Worried About Your Bills

*This is a collaborative post on being eco friendly when you’re worried about your bills

Having bill worries is common these days. So many people live paycheck to paycheck and often have to sacrifice items like new clothes and their favourite foods to keep the heating on. Though the government has pledged aid during the current cost of living crisis, the price is still high for some households. 

This is especially worrying when you’re concerned about their carbon footprint as well. How can you find the energy to think about saving the planet when you’re already on a reduced budget? Here are some ideas.

Stop using certain appliances to be eco friendly

Of course, you can’t stop using the oven or the washing machine – you need hot food and clean clothes daily. But appliances like the dishwasher or the tumble dryer can be turned off/unplugged for the foreseeable future. Sure, cleaning the kitchen after dinner or dry your clothes might take a little more time, but you can save on both electrical usage and cash. Indeed, you can save upwards of £200 a year like this, and the positive eco-impact can be endless! 

Do away with traditional heating

Some central heating methods are a little more gas-guzzling than others. Because of this, they generate a lot of emissions and can increase your carbon footprint tenfold over the year. But if you’re able to, applying for a grant to replace your boiler and/or budgeting to install a non-traditional heat method can save you a lot of money over the coming months. Look into things like the cost of an air source heat pump to find out more about this. The upfront cost can be big, but the long-term savings tend to outweigh it. 

Change your bulbs to be eco friendly

The bulbs in your house can use an astounding amount of electricity daily. It’s why so many people invest in LED alternatives – they’re just so much better in every way. They’re brighter, they last longer, and they use a lower wattage, which means they don’t use as much electricity throughout the week. To the low cost of £10, you could buy around three bulb packs and replace the lights in your most commonly used rooms. You could end up lighting your home for only a fifth of the usual price! 

Think about your car

The car you drive is the most apparent source of environmental damage. It’s why we’re all slowly moving towards hybrid models, and in around eight years’ time, petrol cars will be rather obsolete – and potentially illegal. So it’s a good idea to start thinking about this change now. Downsizing where you can, buying second-hand, and running the car only a couple of times per week could save you a lot of money. This could feed into your new car budget and allow you to go electric sooner rather than later. 

Green household methods can also save you money, but you may need to make a few sacrifices.