With lots of jobs to complete around the home you may want to find ways to do them as cost-efficiently as possible.
So, to help you reduce household running costs, the team at Bunnings Warehouse share some top ideas on simple and low-cost DIY projects and practices that will keep you cool, clean and your garden thriving this summer.
Reduce energy bills:
Bunnings national lighting buyer Natasha Ryan says sustainable lighting practices can reduce energy bills:
1. Make the switch to LED: With summer outdoor entertaining in full swing, consider replacing outdoor lights with solar lights that have LED globes, which use less energy than regular globes and will save money on electricity bills.
2. Shine a light on solar: Keep the home safe and cut down on power by replacing hard-wired security lighting with solar powered security lights.
Staying cool inside:
Bunnings national safety buyer Kelly Squibb says it is possible to keep the house cool without breaking the bank:
3. Let the cool air in: Enjoy cool changes in the home without inviting insects in by investing in a quality fly screen. Choose a screen that is tough enough to withstand damage from pets and children, and offers a high standard of security.
4. A powder-coated black screen will help minimise glare from the sun.
Sustainable gardening:
Bunnings national garden care buyer David Hardie offers tips to sustainable gardening:
5. Go green: A greenhouse offers a warm and protected environment for growing a variety of plants, herbs and flowers all year round. A removable PVC cover will keep plants protected from bugs and insects.
6. Make the most of mulching: Mulch keeps the garden bed warm and keeps the soil from erosion, as well as locking in nutrients and water for healthy plant growth. Choose a mulch that assists in water and nutrient retention and suppresses weeds to ensure plants thrive during summer.
7. Clever composting: Start a compost bin in the garden to recycle organic garden and kitchen waste into a highly nutritious soil conditioner. Composting is perfect for summer when there is a lot of food waste, and is a great activity to do with the kids during school holidays.
Easy cleaning outdoors:
Bunnings national cleaning buyer Lauren Civelle provides tips on how to reduce energy use when washing and cleaning:
8. Take it out to dry: Take advantage of the sun and reduce energy costs by drying clothes outdoors naturally.
9. Under pressure: Get the same results whilst using less energy and waste by investing in a pressure cleaner to whip through the cleaning jobs around the home and garden. Choose an eco unit as it will save on water and use less energy than regular pressure cleaners. It will also be made out of recyclable materials.
