Improving your home’s comfort and eco-friendliness is easier than you might think. With some simple upgrades and a bit of effort, you can make your home cosier and reduce its environmental impact at the same time. Follow these tips to create a warmer, greener home.
Insulate Properly
One of the best things you can do is insulate your home effectively. Proper insulation will help keep warm air in during the winter and prevent overheating in the summer. Make sure lofts, walls, floors, and windows are adequately insulated. Top up any existing insulation to meet current regulations. For lofts, 270mm depth is recommended. Cavity walls should be filled, and solid walls may need internal or external insulation. Insulating floors and exposing pipes can also help. Install draught proofing around doors, windows, letterboxes and loft hatches to prevent heat loss.
Consider Double Glazing
Installing double glazing is an excellent way to improve insulation. Double glazed windows have two panes of glass with a gap between them. This traps air and acts as an insulator, reducing heat transfer through the windows. Double glazing keeps homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer. It also reduces outside noise and prevents draughts. When installing double glazing, look for units with an argon gas fill and warm edge spacer bars for maximum efficiency. Make sure the windows are installed properly by a professional to prevent condensation issues.
Upgrade Your Heating System
An energy efficient heating system makes a big difference in home comfort and carbon footprint. If your boiler is old, replace it with a new condensing model which converts more of the fuel to heat. Condensing boilers are up to 30% more efficient than old ones. Consider installing thermostatic radiator valves to control the temperature room-by-room. Switch to lower carbon heating fuels like natural gas instead of oil or coal. Investing in a smart thermostat enables you to heat your home efficiently and program it conveniently.
Let the Sun Shine In
Harnessing solar energy is an eco-friendly way to warm your house. Installing south-facing windows allows sunlight to heat your home naturally. Strategic use of glazing provides passive solar gain in winter without overheating in summer. Plant deciduous trees to block summer sun while allowing winter sunlight through. Solar water heating systems can provide 25-90% of your hot water depending on the season. Solar PV panels convert sunlight into electricity to power your home. Even in the UK’s climate, solar technologies can pay for themselves within 5-10 years.
Insulate Hot Water Storage
Insulating your hot water cylinder reduces heat loss from the tank and lowers energy usage. Hot water pipes should also be insulated to prevent them cooling as water flows to taps. Lagging jacket cylinders and pipes is straightforward and pays for itself quickly in energy savings. Make sure to follow manufacturer guidelines carefully for best results.
Embrace LED Lighting
Replacing old light bulbs with LEDs saves electricity and improves home ambiance. LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last 10-25 times longer than traditional bulbs. Their quality of light is also superior. Take advantage of LED brightness controls and smart bulbs to customise lighting. Installing LED fixtures in the kitchen, bathroom, living spaces and outdoors creates a comfortable, energy efficient home.
Seal Air Leaks
One of the sneakiest ways warm air escapes in winter is through hidden cracks and gaps in the building. Locate these air leaks around vents, electrical sockets, windows and doors and seal them up tightly. You can use caulk, spray foam or weather stripping to plug leaks. Reducing unwanted draughts improves comfort and reduces energy bills. Carrying out an air pressure test helps identify the biggest problem areas to target.
Embrace Smart Home Technology
Smart home gadgets help you manage energy use conveniently. Smart thermostats like Google Nest allow you to control the temperature remotely and use geo-fencing to turn heating on when you’re almost home. Smart plugs let you monitor appliance energy consumption. Smart light bulbs create customisable, energy-efficient lighting schemes. Use smart speakers to switch off appliances with your voice. Home energy monitors reveal exactly how much power you’re using. Smart tech gives you precision control to maximise efficiency.
Install Low-Flow Plumbing
Simple upgrades to sinks, showers and toilets can cut your home’s water usage substantially. Low-flow taps and showerheads provide the same pressure using less water. Install toilet flushing systems that offer a choice between half and full flushes. Tap aerators are inexpensive devices that infuse air into the water stream to maintain pressure while decreasing flow. Be sure to repair any dripping taps which waste water.
Choose Sustainable Materials
When renovating or decorating, select eco-friendly, natural or recycled materials. Choose organic cotton, wool and hemp fabrics or look for FSC-certified wood. Use low-VOC or water-based paints and stains. Choose carpets made from natural fibres without chemical treatments. Reclaimed wood flooring gives a unique look while reusing materials. There are now sustainable options for nearly any project that are durable and stylish.
Grow Indoor Plants
Filling your home with plants improves air quality by removing pollutants. Indoor plants also increase humidity levels for more comfortable air. Hardy, low-maintenance varieties like spider plants and aloe vera are a good choice. Position plants in bedrooms, living areas and offices to moisturise the air. Having views of greenery also provides calming mental benefits.
Adjust Your Thermostat
Simply turning your thermostat down a few degrees in winter and up in summer saves energy. Set it to 20°C in winter and no higher than 24°C in summer. Turn the thermostat down when away from home. Programmable and smart thermostats make temperature control effortless. Getting into the habit of fine-tuning your thermostat makes a big difference. Wearing an extra layer in winter allows you to nudge the temperature a bit cooler.
Insulating your home well, upgrading to efficient heating and appliances and making smart energy choices will create a warmer, greener home all year round. With small steps, you can increase comfort and shrink your environmental footprint. A cosy, eco-friendly home awaits!