Let’s be honest. We do our best to be kinder to the environment not only to help green up the world, but also because our actions translate into real monetary savings.

And yet, we normally associate eco-friendly changes with a bigger outlay to buy solar water heaters and panels, energy efficient lights and organic products. We need to spend money to save money, we think.

But that is a common misconception. There are little things which you can do and which, at the proverbial end of the day, add up to make a big difference, without compromising your comfort or style.

Clean as you go

Choosing your cleaning products carefully carries multiple benefits. Green cleaners, for instance, reduce air pollution both indoors and outdoors, and limit the use of chemi-cals which can be harmful to your health.

When buying your cleaning products, read the label carefully for a complete list of ingredients. If you want to be absolutely sure that your cleaning products are the greenest possible, you can make your own using common household items. White vinegar, for instance, acts as both an antifungal and a germ killer. Baking soda is a good scouring powder while soda water is both a stain remover and polisher. To make your furniture gleam, there’s nothing better than a good glug of olive oil. And if you want to add an all-natural scent to your housekeeping, add a drop or two of natural, organic essential oils to your cleaning products.

Weathering it

For those living in a traditional Maltese house, keeping it warm in winter and cool in summer requires no effort. Our vernacular architecture – driven by local needs, climate, topography, traditions and available materials – is a solid example of how an intelligently built dwelling can inspire sustainable living. Concepts such as thick masonry walls, small external windows and central courtyards all contribute to controlling the thermal environment of a building.

More modern houses, on the other hand, require some investment to make them sustainable. Your primary concern should be to eliminate air leaks as much as possible, since this will translate into fewer drafts and, in winter, lower heating expenses.

It is calculated that installing insulation will reduce your home’s energy consumption by a good 20 to 30 per cent. Thermal shades are a more low-cost option, but they are still effective in blocking the sun in summer and retaining heat in winter.

It’s all white

White goods can seriously bulk up your water and electricity bills. And you can’t just unplug them like you do with a television, for instance, because they keep your food fresh and your clothes clean.

It’s all a matter of making good use of your appliances. For fridges and freezers, maximise the space. It takes a lot more energy to cool an empty space, so keep your fridge and freezer well stocked.

It takes a lot more energy to cool an empty space, so keep your fridge and freezer well stocked

To wash clothes, use cold water. It is calculated that a huge percentage of the energy consumed by a washing machine goes to heating the water. Modern washing machines and detergents are as effective when using cold water as they are with hot water. And if it’s a sunny day, there’s no need to use the tumble dryer – nothing smells as fresh as clean clothes dried by natural sunlight and a summer breeze.

When baking, there’s no need to line the racks with aluminium foil because this reduces the airflow and makes cooking time longer.

See the light

Light is the essence of any home. When planning your home, make sure that youhave good access to natural light as this will save on electricity bills.

For artificial light, some simple tricks will help you reduce your costs. Don’t switch on the lights unnecessarily and only do so when you are in the same room. Also, dust light bulbs frequently so that you boost their light output and efficiency.

Waste not

Rubbish carries with it a huge environmental cost. To cut down on waste, buy products that have minimum packaging. Also, ditch those plastic bags in favour of a shopping bag made of cloth that you can use time and again. And when spring cleaning, throw away things in a judicious manner – if you can reuse, recycle or simply donate, then do it.