Laptops plugged in, kitchen bench loaded up with our makeshift office essentials – this is life working from home. Behind us, the kids sit, tuned into their online classes as students make the shift to online learning. But when we find ourselves with some downtime, we’re finding ourselves with cabin fever, unsure of what to do or keep us busy.
While it’s tempting to keep powering away at the growing pile of work or chores around the house, it’s essential to make sure you’re getting the rejuvenation you need in-between.
Right now is a very different time for all of us, and the lifestyles we’re leading aren’t what we are typically used to. But there are some ways you can make use of your time and give back to the world around you at the same time – call it a win-win.
Just because we’re in lockdown, it doesn’t mean the planet needs our care and attention any less. While you have a few spare minutes here and there to focus your attention on it, why not see how you can optimise the carbon footprint of your household in the midst of the pandemic?
Here are a few nifty things we think are worth keeping in mind.
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Create a water-friendly yard
All households use water, but where it comes from can differ. Installing a tank means you’re able to save on bills and also help the environment out at the same time. Even if you’re not one to worry about climate change, shaving a few hard-earned dollars off your expenses is enough of an incentive to reduce your consumption.
A few ways you can do this include:
- Plant native flora: Australia has plenty of native plants on offer that is well-equipped to withstand our unpredictable (and harsh) weather conditions. Head to your local nursery – if they’re open – or shop online for native varieties that don’t require a whole lot of watering. You’ll find this will have a big impact on how much water you consume on a weekly basis.
- Change up your schedule: If you’re used to watering your gardens and yard in the afternoon, change this to the morning when it’s cooler. This is especially important in warmer months. The water won’t evaporate as quickly from the ground, meaning your plants reap more of the benefits and need less watering over time.
- Artificial grass (or none at all): Keeping your lawn in order can be a challenge. Opt for artificial turf to minimise your water consumption, or just go without it completely.
Go organic
Get into your own green thumb skills and create an organic garden you can be proud of. From sun-kissed tomatoes to vegetables fresh out of the ground – it doesn’t get much better than this when it comes to preparing meals.
Best of all, growing organic crops like this means your garden attracts a number of species across bees, butterflies and birds – crucial to the success of our ecosystems.
If you’re not sure how to get started with gardening, check out this helpful guide for some more easy tips on kick-starting the process.
Install a solar panel system
Being in lockdown means you’re going to inevitably use more electricity. That’s something you can’t really avoid, but you can optimise your household to negate the costs. Many Australians are switching over to a solar power system to do this, cutting costs on their energy bills and allowing for positive changes in their own carbon footprint.
Essentially, renewable energy and solar panels can save you over $3000 a year on your bills, if it’s well-positioned and maintained.
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If you’d like to find out how you can take advantage of these savings, grab your three free quotes from SolarClap now.