sustainable living
We are living in a time where more and more people are thinking about how to live in a sustainable way. One of the most effective ways to start living sustainably is by making small changes to our daily habits. These changes can be implemented in our homes, where we spend the majority of our time. Making the most of your home heating
Heating is one of the biggest energy users in the home. However, it is also a place where we can make a significant impact. By making some simple changes, we can reduce our energy consumption. One simple step is to adjust the thermostat. Research has shown that lowering the temperature by just one degree can reduce heating bills by up to 10%. Keeping our homes at a comfortable 19°C is ideal. Another crucial aspect is to make sure to time our heating usage. Turning off the heating about 30 minutes before we leave the house or before bed can make a significant difference. It is also important to retain heat in the home. Using heavy curtains and blinds to cover windows fully, sealing draughts with weatherproof strips or insulation film, and using draft excluders or door sweeps can help to keep the warm air in.
Retaining heat is key
• Using heavy curtains and blinds to cover windows fully • Sealing up draughts with weatherproof strips or insulation film • Using draft excluders or door sweeps to keep the warm air in • Rugs and carpets providing an extra layer of insulation Making the most of our water heating Water heating is another significant energy user in our homes. However, by making some smart changes, we can reduce our energy consumption. One simple step is to switch from baths to showers. Showers use about half the hot water of a bath, so they are not only more energy-efficient but also more water-efficient. Another crucial aspect is to make sure to time our water heating. Installing a timer on our immersion heater can help us avoid wasting energy. We should also try to insulate our hot water tank with a quality lagging jacket, which can cut our water heating costs by up to 30%.Energy-efficient water heating
• Installing a timer on the immersion heater to avoid wasting energy • Insulating the hot water tank with a quality lagging jacket • Switching from baths to showers • Using full loads when doing laundry Making the most of our electricity We rely on electricity to power almost everything in our homes, from lighting and appliances to heating and entertainment. However, by making some smart changes, we can reduce our energy consumption. One simple step is to avoid peak usage times, such as between 5pm and 7pm, when electricity is most carbon-intensive. We should also make sure to delay things like doing the dishwasher or washing clothes until later. Another crucial aspect is to make sure to unplug household appliances when they are not in use. Many continue to draw power in standby mode, so it is essential to unplug them. We should also try to upgrade our lighting by switching to energy-efficient LEDs or CFLs, which consume up to 85% less energy and last much longer.Eco-friendly electricity
• Avoiding peak usage times, such as between 5pm and 7pm • Delaying things like doing the dishwasher or washing clothes until later • Unplugging household appliances when they are not in use • Upgrading to energy-efficient LEDs or CFLsA small step for you, a big difference for the planet
The key to going green at home is not to make a lot of changes all at once, but to make smart, manageable changes that suit our lifestyle and budget. We should start with one or two habits and build from there. Whether it’s switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs, sealing up draughts, or timing our immersion heater, every change makes a difference. We should also find more energy-saving tips and information in the Allianz Green Home Guide. If we’re ready to make bigger improvements, such as installing solar panels or a heat pump, Allianz Home insurance includes “green home cover” as standard. This includes cover for environmentally friendly/renewable energy-based systems.For example, if you experience revenue loss due to damage to your renewable energy systems, such as PV solar panels or wind turbines, Allianz will cover the cost of lost revenue up to €150 per month for a maximum of 6 months.
Make sure your home is fully protected and get 10% off new policies online at www.allianz.ie/home-insurance.
Allianz p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Standard acceptance criteria, terms & conditions and minimum premiums of €106.05 for buildings cover, €86.10 for contents cover, and €12.60 for all risks apply.
| Key Changes to Make | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Adjusting the thermostat and timing heating usage | Reducing energy consumption, saving up to 10% on heating bills |
| Insulating windows and draughts | Retaining heat, reducing energy consumption |
| Switching from baths to showers | Using less water, reducing energy consumption |
| Using energy-efficient lighting | Consumes up to 85% less energy, lasts longer |
starting to live sustainably
Living sustainably is not just about making big changes, but about making small changes that fit our lifestyle and budget. The key is to start with one or two habits and build from there. We should make smart, manageable changes that suit our lifestyle and budget. Every change we make makes a difference.Getting started
We can start by making small changes to our daily habits. We can start by making a few simple changes to our home heating, water heating, and electricity usage. We can also start by finding more energy-saving tips and information in the Allianz Green Home Guide.Small steps can lead to big changes
• Start with one or two habits and build from there • Make smart, manageable changes that suit our lifestyle and budget • Every change makes a differenceProtecting your home
We should also make sure to protect our home from damage or loss. Allianz Home insurance includes “green home cover” as standard, which includes cover for environmentally friendly/renewable energy-based systems. If you experience revenue loss due to damage to your renewable energy systems, Allianz will cover the cost of lost revenue up to €150 per month for a maximum of 6 months.Make sure your home is fully protected and get 10% off new policies online at www.allianz.ie/home-insurance.
Allianz p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Standard acceptance criteria, terms & conditions and minimum premiums of €106.05 for buildings cover, €86.10 for contents cover, and €12.60 for all risks apply.