The world is finally opening their eyes to the harmful effects that things such as plastic, water waste, and pollution can have on our planet. Taking certain steps to make your property more eco-friendly is great for homeowners, tenants of rental properties, or buy to let investors who wish to give their property some extra appeal. If you’re keen to make a difference and need some eco-friendly inspiration, take a look at these top tips.

Choose your property type wisely

Certain properties like new builds are notorious for their energy efficient qualities. Compared to period properties that were often built centuries ago, properties built in recent years are developed with stricter regulations and higher standards when it comes to being more environmentally friendly. The fact that new builds are often created with the use of quality windows and fittings means they’re not as draughty as older properties and so naturally require less need to switch on the heating. Studio apartments are also a good option for the more energy conscious tenant or homeowner, being smaller in size and therefore less costly to run. RW Invest is an example of a property investment company with a number of new build studio apartments available to purchase, with stylish, modern designs and prime UK locations.

Stay on top of maintenance

Make sure you stay on top of maintenance within your property to limit any accidental water waste. Dripping faucets and leaky pipes can result in a large amount of water waste. To put things into perspective, a leaky faucet dripping at a rate of one drip each second could mean over 3,000 gallons of water being wasted a year — the equivalent to 180 showers! Fixing these bothersome issues around the home is one easy step you can take to become more eco-friendly. Fireplaces, ovens, and heaters are also fixtures in the home that can emit potentially harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, so it’s important to check these regularly to ensure they’re working properly.

Ensure proper insulation

The better a property has been insulated, the less energy that will need to be used. Heating a property can have a strain on your monthly bills but also impacts the environment. If your property has been properly insulated in the walls, roof, and floorboards, less heat will be lost making the property a lot warmer in the Autumn and Winter months. Other ways you can insulate include buying some thick curtains for windows, or weatherproofing windows with plastic sheeting.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Recycling is one of the most essential ways we can help the environment and live a more eco-friendly life. Setting up your property so that it’s easier to recycle, such as having a dedicated recycling bin in the kitchen, will make the whole process run more smoothly. Try to generally limit the amount of plastic you use in the home, re-using items like plastic containers and avoiding any waste. These small steps are so easy to incorporate into daily life within a property and can have a big impact in the long run.