With the global population rising dramatically, more people using cars and densely populated cities producing thousands of tons of carbon emissions it’s time to start changing the way we live. While we can’t change the world single handed in a week, we can change what we do in our own homes and lives which together will make a difference over time.

The first and most important place to start is where we spend most of our lives, at home. With new green technology and smarter thinking our homes can be vastly greener and produce less carbon emissions which will make the world a better place for our children for years to come.

Most new homes are designed and built with being green in mind and some local councils will not approve some designs or housing projects based on them not being fuel and energy efficient. But for those of us living in older homes, there are still things we can do to start being green and, possibly more importantly to some of us, save money.

1. The easiest and cheapest way to save money  is to get rid of your old incandescent light bulbs and use energy-saving light bulbs. These are now available for only £2-£3 for most styles of light bulb to fit most light fittings and as well as lasting up to 8 times longer than a normal bulb replacing them can save up to £8 per year per bulb. This could amount to a substantial money and energy saving if you count how many bulbs you have in your home.
2. Installing loft insulation can give a massive saving if used properly. The guidelines set by the government say you should have at least 270mm of insulation in your roof. Prices start at around £250 if installed yourself and can give a saving of around £120 per year which over the years will add up to a tidy saving, potentially paying for itself in around 2 years.

These are the first steps to making your home a greener place through eco retrofitting but more tips will follow to further reduce your carbon footprint and make our world a better place.

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1. More Ideas for Making Your Home More Energy Efficient
2. Home Insulation Pushes Light Subsidies to be Scrapped
3. Save Money With Energy Efficient Windows
4. Support Earth Day By Making Your Home Greener
5. Building a Greener Home