How to create a sustainable home this spring
The days are becoming longer and nature is coming into bloom, making it the perfect time to make your home greener for spring.
In this article, we discuss getting the full potential out of your solar panels, refreshing your home, getting the most from your smart meter and more.
Remember to adjust your clock settings
With the clocks springing forward on Sunday 31st March 2024, take a moment to update the settings on your devices and appliances. And if you’re on a dual rate tariff, remember that the clock change means your off peak window will shift later by an hour, so schedule your appliances accordingly to make use of lower-cost energy.
If you generate energy at home, spring’s clock change is often the start of saving more money on your energy bills. That extra hour of daylight in the evenings means that the ovens, washing machines and devices that go on come 5pm will be increasingly covered by your solar power.
Make informed sustainable purchases
Spring often brings about a desire to refresh our homes and wardrobes. Before making any purchases, consider the environmental impact.
Choose products with minimal packaging, opt for sustainable materials, and support companies committed to eco-friendly practices. Your choices can make a significant difference in reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.
Buying second hand is a brilliant way to get quality products, without such a financial and carbon impact.
Get empowered with insights from your smart meter
Smart meters put you in control of your energy consumption, through the real-time insights that they provide. Take a moment to review your energy usage patterns and think how you can optimise your settings for maximum efficiency.
Find out how to get the most out of your smart meter
Celebrate a sustainable Easter
Easter is a time of joy and renewal, and it’s also an opportunity to make sustainable choices. Consider opting for eco-friendly easter decoration made from recycled materials or reusable items. Choose organic and locally sourced ingredients for your Easter meals to support local farmers and reduce your carbon footprint. And if you’re into chocolate, go for Fairtrade.
Check out our customers’ tips on having a greener Easter here.
Clean and clear your solar panels
As the sun starts to shine for longer, make sure your solar panels are ready to soak up its rays.
Dirt and debris can impact your solar panels’ performance, so we recommend washing your solar panels every year. You can find specialists that offer this service, or your local window cleaning company may do this too. Just make sure that your panels are cleaned only using ionised water (don’t use hardwater if you are in a hardwater are, and don’t use any soap) to keep them protected.
Trim any overhanging branches that might cast shadows as this can affect their performance, and don’t forget to check for any debris too.
Did you know, we also offer a solar maintenance package, where we carry out a full systems check using our specialist testing equipment. Check if we service your area here, and then email us on sales@goodenergy.co.uk to arrange your service.
Opt for sustainable transport
With the days getting longer, now is a great time to dust off your bicycle or make use of any cycle to work schemes available to you. Alternatively, most bus tickets are frozen at £2 a journey until the end of the year, making this a sustainable, affordable option too.
Wanting to upgrade your car? Electric cars produce zero emissions while driving, meaning they don’t pollute the atmosphere with toxic emissions. The warmer spring weather is also good news for your electric car’s range, which may have been impacted over the winter.
Power your home with 100% renewable electricity
Spring is a great time to switch to a green energy tariff. And if you’re with Good Energy for your energy supply, you can also switch to our leading export tariff too, paying 15p per unit that you export back to the grid from your solar panels.
Here’s what you need to know about our tariffs:
Standard Variable tariff
- 100% renewable electricity, sourced from over 2,000 British generators
- One of the easiest ways to cut your home’s carbon emissions.
- Fairly priced to reflect the cost of genuinely supporting renewable generation.
- Variable rate with no exit fees.
Smart EV tariff
- Power your car with sun, wind and water
- 5 hours of off-peak electricity (12am – 5am) at just 9.4p/kWh
- Wake up to a full charge from just £3.76 (based on charging a Nissan Leaf).
- Available to customers with a Smart meter.
Solar Savings export tariff
- A leading rate export tariff for households with solar panels
- Currently paying 15p/kWh that you export to the grid
- Available to Good Energy supply customers with a smart meter.
- Open to customers who receive the Feed in Tariff, boosting your export payments.
As winter makes way for spring, let’s commit to a greener future.
Together, we can make every season an opportunity to contribute to sustainable homes and a healthier planet.
