How can you make your home more sustainable?

You can't avoid it. Sustainability is big news right now, and everyone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon of solar power, electric cars and green housing.

Whatever your thoughts on the matter, making your home more eco-friendly is a great way to kick start some weekend DIY and potentially save you some money in the long run.

So how can you make your home more sustainable?

Green that garden

The garden is a source of pride for many of us, but it's also one of the best places on the property where you can go a little more sustainable. You'll only need to get your hands dirty with some garden DIY work.

Find a good spot for a vegetable garden, and if you've got the space, fruit trees. With not much effort over all four seasons, you can reap the benefits of a harvest and have access to fresh fruit and veg throughout the year. You may need to pull out the concrete cutting equipment if you've got a pathway to move, but it's certainly going to be worth it.

Think about solar

Solar panels are a great way to harness the natural energy of the sun, and they're only getting cheaper. What's more, the Wellington City Council over in NZ explained that solar water heating and even passive heating options can be great ways to utilise the sun. However, you may need to get out a ladder and prune back trees and hedges if you want to harness the most sunlight!

Thinking a little more creatively, solar can also be used to great effect to heat up cold pools in winter. While of course there's an upfront cost, the benefits can pay off over the long term.

Get hot (and cold)

The Dartmouth Sustainability Project explained that using less energy is one of the best ways to go sustainable, but for many, this is going to sound difficult. It's really not.

Let's start off with winter. Fix up any gaps in doors or windows, and if you're able to, install some form of insulation. Though more costly, double glazing windows is a great way to keep the cold out. Turning to summer, you'll want to ensure your home has good airflow, so consider installing larger windows. Air conditioning equipment is one way to keep a home cool, though you'll need to find a model that doesn't sap energy.

Keep water onsite

As anyone who lives out in the countryside will know, storage is necessary to ensure there's adequate water available at all times. While you may need to hire a bobcat at home, it could be a good idea to dig into an unused portion of your property and lay down a new water tank.

When summer rolls around with the inevitable dry spell, you'll have gathered more than enough water to supply your home for extended periods of time.

Think ahead

If you've got any construction projects planned in the near future, think about how you could incorporate sustainability. With a little work, it may not be that difficult to make that garden extra green, or reduce electricity usage in your home. Sustainability will likely only become more important over the next few years, especially with regards to water and power at home!

To take your home into the sustainable world of tomorrow, it may only require a few weekends of DIY work in the garden. Get in touch with Kennards Hire to find out what equipment is best. We've got a pretty substantial range of tools, vehicles and other pieces of gear that you can use to make your home sustainable.