Eco-friendly DIY tips

More than £14billion a year is spent in the UK on timber, paints, varnishes and other materials for DIY home projects. By re-using materials, buying certified sustainable wood and greener paints, and selecting your projects carefully, you can make a real difference to the effect you have on the environment. home improvement

Save your Energy

Many DIY projects can help save energy and water as well as making your home more comfortable. Here are a few ideas:

insulating your hot water tank is an easy way to save energy and cut your electricity bills fix your taps from dripping - just 1 drip a second adds up to about 13 litres of water a day. A new washer costs just a few pence and can be fitted in minutes fit spray fittings to your sink taps - this can reduced the amount of water you use by 50% and increase your water pressure insulate your home - nearly 50% of the heat lost in a household is through the walls and roof loft insulation can keep your house warm and only takes few hours to fit

Always make DIY projects work towards saving energy

Some DIY projects will raise your energy usage significantly, costing you more in fuel bills and increasing your carbon emissions. Projects like adding a glass solarium or a hot tub are not a good idea.

If possible:

try not to put heating in your conservatory - few conservatories are insulated very well, and much of the heat will escape through the glass choose solar power for water features and lighting in your garden try adding a small windmill as a garden feature. It will aslo produce more energy than you would expect.

Consider borrowing or hiring electric tools for your DIY. The average drill is used for less than 15 minutes in its entire lifetime.

Use less toxic paints and finishes

Many paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be toxic to humans, wildlife, and plants. When you chose a paint or finish, try to find the one with the lowest impact possible:

mud based paints, "natural" paints, milk paints and white washes can have a lower impact than regular paint buy the paint you need - a lot of paint is wasted by people over estimating their needs Choose the lowest VOC product you can check to see if there is a hazard warning on the label. If you have the choice, choose a product without a hazard warning look for the European Ecolabel for indoor paints which indicates they contain no lead, mercury or other heavy metals and are manufactured with reduced solvent emissions and waste by-products

Choose materials that are eco-friendly

The materials you choose for your projects can have an impact on the environment and your own personal health. Toxic chemicals can leach into landfills, and contaminate your home. Friendly materials don't necessarily cost more and many are widely available:

use reclaimed wood - this adds character and saves resources and energy bamboo, mud, or stone flooring are good alternatively to hardwood, or laminated flooring. make sure its imported irresponsibly buy certified wood - it is estimated that at least a quarter of the timber arriving in to the UK has been produced illegally look for labels from on wood from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Sustainable timber, and other sustainable wood products

Save your Energy

Many DIY projects can help save energy and water as well as making your home more comfortable. Here are a few ideas:

insulating your hot water tank is an easy way to save energy and cut your electricity bills fix your taps from dripping - just 1 drip a second adds up to about 13 litres of water a day. A new washer costs just a few pence and can be fitted in minutes fit spray fittings to your sink taps - this can reduced the amount of water you use by 50% and increase your water pressure insulate your home - nearly 50% of the heat lost in a household is through the walls and roof loft insulation can keep your house warm and only takes few hours to fit

Always make DIY projects work towards saving energy

Some DIY projects will raise your energy usage significantly, costing you more in fuel bills and increasing your carbon emissions. Projects like adding a glass solarium or a hot tub are not a good idea.

If possible:

try not to put heating in your conservatory - few conservatories are insulated very well, and much of the heat will escape through the glass choose solar power for water features and lighting in your garden try adding a small windmill as a garden feature. It will aslo produce more energy than you would expect.

Consider borrowing or hiring electric tools for your DIY. The average drill is used for less than 15 minutes in its entire lifetime.

Use less toxic paints and finishes

Many paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can be toxic to humans, wildlife, and plants. When you chose a paint or finish, try to find the one with the lowest impact possible:

mud based paints, "natural" paints, milk paints and white washes can have a lower impact than regular paint buy the paint you need - a lot of paint is wasted by people over estimating their needs Choose the lowest VOC product you can check to see if there is a hazard warning on the label. If you have the choice, choose a product without a hazard warning look for the European Ecolabel for indoor paints which indicates they contain no lead, mercury or other heavy metals and are manufactured with reduced solvent emissions and waste by-products

Choose materials that are eco-friendly

The materials you choose for your projects can have an impact on the environment and your own personal health. Toxic chemicals can leach into landfills, and contaminate your home. Friendly materials don't necessarily cost more and many are widely available:

use reclaimed wood - this adds character and saves resources and energy bamboo, mud, or stone flooring are good alternatively to hardwood, or laminated flooring. make sure its imported irresponsibly buy certified wood - it is estimated that at least a quarter of the timber arriving in to the UK has been produced illegally look for labels from on wood from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Sustainable timber, and other sustainable wood products

More green tips articles.