The start of any new year is a great opportunity to do things a little differently, to take up new hobbies, or simply make positive adjustments to how we go about our daily lives.

When we think of new year’s resolutions, they can often involve massive change or upheaval; giving up chocolate or going from no exercise to regular gym attendance are two of the most common resolutions every time Big Ben welcomes in another new year.

However, sometimes the smallest changes can often have the biggest impact and never is this truer than in reducing our carbon footprint and becoming more sustainable. Here are ten simple changes you can make to your home that will significantly reduce the impact on the environment around you – and even save you some money too!

1. Unplug devices you’re not using

Did you know that your television can still draw as much as 30% of its power when switched off? This isn’t an uncommon figure for many household appliances, so why not plug in several to a single power strip so you can switch them all on and off with ease?

2. Recycle as much as you can

Many local authorities are now accepting a much wider range of recyclable goods than in years gone by, so it’s worth checking what can and can’t go in your recycling box. It’s probably more than you think!

3. Cut back on your water use

Whether it’s having a shorter morning shower, getting around to fixing that dripping tap or waiting until you have a lot of dishes to clean all at once, lowering water usage in your home reduces bills, energy wastage and emissions.

4. Let your garden grow

Having more plants in your garden means that it’ll be absorbing more Co2, which is a big tick for the environment.  The good news is that you don’t have to become Alan Titchmarsh overnight; longer lawns attract pollinating insects such as bees which is a positive and also requires less mowing!

5. Stop plastic waste

Do you really need that single-use drinks bottle, plastic bag, straw or drinks stirrer? These are all products you can avoid using; invest in a reusable bottle you take everywhere, have that Bag for Life ready for the weekly shop, use a spoon to stir your drink and forego that straw!

6. Car share

It’s not always possible to plan your family’s day around using just one vehicle, so if one of you has a colleague living nearby, why not consider a car share to work? It’ll save you both money and reduce air pollution.

7. Tweak your diet

It’s tough to overhaul your diet in one go, but there are plenty of small steps you can take to reduce the carbon footprint from your food; shop locally and support farmers’ markets, grow your own veg in the back garden and consider cutting back on meat and dairy products. But remember, start small, as you’re more likely to stick with those changes!

8. Use a clothesline

Tumble dryers are notoriously power hungry; you could save yourself a lot of money by letting those clothes hang outside and dry naturally instead (during the summer months!). You’ll also find your clothes last longer, smell fresher and feel nicer to wear!

9. Get a CombiSave fitted in your home

Our last piece of advice is our favourite — our CombiSave ‘fit and forget’ combi-boiler device can help you reduce the amount of water and gas used in the initial heating process. As well as being good for the environment, it can save you up to £250 a year!

Like our other recommendations, having a CombiSave installed is easy — you can have it installed on to your existing pipework close to the combi-boiler in just minutes. Once fitted, it restricts the flow of water until it has reached the required heat, potentially saving 28,000 litres of water each year and plenty of gas. It’s a great step towards being more environmentally friendly.

Small steps like this all add up to help the environment in significant ways — and the CombiSave has the added bonus of creating long-term savings. If you want to start saving water, gas, time and money, find out more about the CombiSave here: https://teddingtonheating.com/combisave/