As we continue to celebrate Earth Month in April, it is essential to reflect on how our choices in designing spaces can have a significant impact on our surroundings. Striving towards more sustainable practices, by incorporating eco-friendly elements into our living and working spaces, is crucial. Liquid Interiors is excited to share some tips for more comfortable and sustainable living, for both you and our planet.

1. Harness the Power of the Sun

Kill two birds with one stone with natural sunlight. Reduce your reliance on artificial lighting and lower your energy bills – it’s a win-win for your wallet and the environment. Incorporating sunlight as a design element in your home or office reduces your reliance on artificial lighting, therefore lowering your overall energy consumption.

How do I optimise sunlight?

Maximise the amount of sunlight for illuminating your spaces. Place workstations and living spaces near windows to let light in, and factor in natural light in design components such as light colour schemes, and placing reflective surfaces opposite windows to optimally utilise natural sunlight.

💡Don’t cover your windows with heavy curtains! Rather, have sheer curtains that can block out heat and bring in daylight.

2. Invest in Energy Efficient Equipment & Lighting

When it comes to energy-saving, every little bit counts. In addition to optimising sunlight, investing in energy- efficient equipment and lighting helps us develop more sustainable consumption habits.

How do I improve my energy efficiency?

Choose ENERGY STAR certified or high-efficiency air conditioners, appliances, LED lighting, dehumidifiers, and computer equipment. Don’t forget to shut it all down or turn off the master switch on your power bars to reduce energy consumption while on sleep mode. These small changes can have a significant impact on your overall energy consumption.

Customisable lighting systems, such as dimmers and home systems, gives you direct control over various lighting quality and settings, including colour temperature and brightness. LED lights are also an affordable lighting option that is both energy efficient and customisable to suit individual needs and preferences. When using LED lighting, a top tip for creating a comfortable environment is to incorporate lampshades. Lampshades serve as a practical solution to reduce glare and minimise direct exposure to the lightbulbs, not only enhancing visual comfort but also adds a touch of style and aesthetics to your space.

3. Improve Insulation and Ventilation

Keeping your spaces comfortable shouldn’t come at a cost to the planet. Ensure your home or office is well-insulated to maintain comfortable temperatures and minimise the need for heating and cooling.

Small ways to improve insulation and ventilation

Reducing our carbon footprint is crucial, and some small design changes such as adjusting window coverings and using fans can lead to marked improvements in minimizing energy consumption. Air conditioners consume significant amounts of electricity, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Fans are energy-efficient alternatives that circulate air, and consume significantly less energy compared to air conditioners, making them a greener and more sustainable choice.

💡Use double glazed windows and doors, seal gaps on doors with weather stripping, use extraction fans that have backdraft shutters.

Dehumidify!

In humid climates such as Hong Kong, dehumidifying measures are key for a comfortable space. Indoor spaces easily become stuffy and uncomfortable. Additionally, high humidity can lead to higher symptoms related to asthma, eczema, more mould growth and loss of productivity.

It can be difficult to balance good air quality & energy savings. One effective strategy is to opt for a fan or dehumidifier instead of running the air conditioner, especially when no one is home. Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, making the indoor environment more comfortable, while fans help to circulate air to provide a cooling sensation throughout.

To optimise the efficiency of your appliances and ensure you’re using them when necessary, consider utilizing an air quality monitor such as the AWAIR Element as a helpful tool. Air quality monitors like this provide real-time data on the air quality in your home, enabling you to gain insights into the overall air quality and make informed decisions about when to turn on your dehumidifiers, fans, and air conditioners. Therefore, optimising the usage of your appliances and improving energy efficiency while ensuring a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment.

Overall, optimizing energy consumption is a vital step towards creating a greener and more sustainable future. By implementing simple yet effective strategies for energy efficient equipment and lighting, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. Let’s all take part in this collective effort to conserve energy, reduce our environmental impact, and pave the way for a more sustainable future.