Better For Your Home, Better For The Planet, Better For You

Nearly every room in the home can benefit from modern technology that has the means to reduce the carbon footprint of our homes and make them more efficient.

Tas Kyriacou, Director of IDS Lifestyle Technology, who specialise in home automation, says: “The whole premise of home automation products is to help conserve energy, integrate the use of renewable energy sources, paving the way for faster and more accurate appliance repairs, and reduce waste.”

For example, The Energy Savings Trust suggests that homeowners can save up to 320kg of carbon dioxide a year by installing and correctly using smart home temperature controls.

For other home technology such as security systems and audiovisual products that can no longer be updated, the equipment can be wiped, reset and removed responsibly. Seek advice from specialists in home automation, AV, data infrastructure and security systems to ensure the sustainability of the products used in your homes.

IDS Director, Tas Kyriacou, says:

“Where we can, we upcycle to ensure products can be utilised where possible, donating proceeds to organisations who help create awareness for a circular economy. If equipment is no longer serviceable, then we’ve partnered with innovative recycling company LITTA. They recycle 93% of the goods they collect. On-site contractors can snap a picture of the old equipment and packaging that needs disposing of and upload it to the LITTA app to arrange collections within the day, who will professionally recycle.”

Consider energy-efficient window frames as well as treatments like drapes and shades. Automated lighting and shading systems translate into year-round savings on electrical, heating, and cooling costs. Up to 50% of a home’s energy is lost through windows, which adds 25% to heating and 75% to air conditioning bills.

Using shades and drapes to provide insulation and manage solar heat gain – allowing more warmth from the sun when you want it or blocking it out when you don’t.

Tas Kyriacou explains: “Waiting for a room to get too hot or cold drives up energy use needlessly; automated shades eliminate waste by raising or lowering based on time of day, room temperature, light sensor readings, occupancy, or season.”

Another innovative and effective way to save water is by introducing aerators to taps and showerheads. Luxury bathroom suppliers West One Bathrooms explain:

“It doesn’t compromise water pressure, it simply fills the water with little air bubbles by behaving like a sieve, sorting the water into separate streams and mixing it with air. This results in the same pressure, but at reduced water flow, and they don’t require any major work. For instance, older taps flow at a rate of around 15 litres of water per minute, but an aerator can reduce that to as little at 6 litres.”

Another water-saving option is shower sensors, which can learn the temperature that’s just right for individuals, reducing energy consumption. They can also monitor and time water use, therefore conserving water. And remember, as relaxing as baths can be, showers use as little as a third of the water.

Getting out into the garden, water butts are a useful way to reuse rainwater and redistribute it into your garden – a 90 litre butt can water an average sized garden for 3-4 days. It’s a simple way to save a little bit of money and avoid having to use household water that’s been expensively treated.

If you’re a keen gardener, mulching and using native plants can really help save on your water costs too.

When you do water, drip irrigation and soaker hoses are more efficient because the water is delivered directly to the root system.