Investing in some eco-friendly home improvements can save you money in the longer term on energy costs, and improve the comfort of your home, as well as making your home more environmentally-friendly too. Here are some suggestions for eco home improvements and tips for creating a greener home…
Windows
Most people have double glazing these days, but not all. If any of your windows are still single glazed, this would be a good place to start with eco home improvements. However, triple glazing or secondary glazing may be worth serious consideration; this can keep in the heat better and also help reduce external noise coming into your home too, making it a more peaceful environment to live in.
Insulation
Loft insulation and cavity wall insulation are both relatively inexpensive but will stop heat from escaping, saving you money on energy bills, as well as helping to be more eco-friendly. It is also a good idea to draught proof all windows and doors, as this wastes energy heating up your home and therefore goes against your eco-friendly home improvements.
Consider Your Energy and Water Use
Make eco home improvements by installing some solar panels – if you are able to. And consider where the other energy for your home comes from; there are plenty of green energy companies, so shop around and switch to a clean energy supplier if you haven’t already. But also make sure you are conserving energy in your home as much as possible; upgrading your boiler and thermostat can help with this if they are no longer economical. Underfloor heating can also be very effective, saving energy and the environment, so this is another thing to consider.
Also think about your water usage. Firstly, make sure your taps aren’t dripping, as this is a waste of water of course. Use water saving devices inside your home and try to recycle water outside too; buying a water butt and collecting rain water to use in the garden is a good start.
Flooring
When it comes to flooring, there are a few good choices for your eco-friendly home improvements. If you are opting for carpet, my recommendation would be to go for good quality; the best you can afford. Consider water and stain resistant treatments too possibly; that way it hopefully lasts as long as possible, therefore creating less waste.
For hard floors, you could use an eco material like bamboo or reclaimed wood. Try to pick something that lasts a long time for maximum sustainability.
Also read: How To Live More Sustainably
Materials
Last but not least, if your eco home improvements are a bit more substantial – such as a new kitchen or extension – try to use reclaimed materials if possible, or opt for more sustainable materials. Even for paint, there are green choices so choose carefully for an eco-friendly home.
For other eco-friendly home improvement ideas check out this energy advice website
*This is a collaborative post
