You’ve probably heard the phrase “green home improvement” before, but what does it mean? Simply put, green home improvement is a way to make your home more efficient and environmentally friendly. Understanding how your electricity is priced and how much you’re paying per kWh can also be beneficial here. Check out an energy comparison website to learn more.
If you’re not sure where to start with the home improvements, we have some tips on just where and how to start! Once you’re ready to start making your home greener, you can use some of these easy ways to improve the energy efficiency of your house without breaking the bank.
- Brush up on your double glazing.
Double glazing is a simple and effective way to save on energy bills by reducing heat loss, making your home warmer and more comfortable. It’s also great for security—if you’re the kind of person who worries about people breaking into your house.
Double glazing can make it much less likely that they’ll be able to get inside in the first place. Double glazing is also great at cutting down on noise pollution in the home, which can be particularly helpful if you live close to busy roads or noisy neighbours.
- Keep your home insulated.
In the UK, heat loss through the roof is one of the main causes of high energy bills. Insulation can be expensive, but it’s worth it. Especially, if you want to save money on your energy bills over time. The best way to insulate is from the inside: when installed correctly, this method can help you save up to 40% on heating costs in winter months!
You can also install insulation from outside using specialist equipment such as contractors or ladders. However, this option may not be suitable for everyone due to its complexity (and potential risk).
- Stop draughts in their tracks.
There are many ways to reduce draughts in the home. You can do this by using door seals, draught-proofing foam, weatherstripping and even draft excluders. If you have wooden flooring throughout your house then it’s worth investing in some thermal underlay; this will help insulate your floors so that they don’t get too cold at night time (or during the day if someone opens the fridge door). It’ll also protect against condensation caused by humidity levels getting too high indoors (which happens more often than most people realise).
- Invest in a programmable thermostat.
A programmable thermostat allows you to set your temperature at different times of the day. If you want to be extra-efficient, you can even set it up so the heat or air conditioning comes on when you are out of the house and stops when everyone is home again. It will take some time and energy to get used to this new system but once you do, it’s easy.
There are many ways in which programmable thermostats can help save money on heating bills. The main one is that they make sure the heat isn’t running unnecessarily at night (or during daytime hours if there aren’t any people home).
- Replace old appliances with newer, more energy-efficient models.
Replace old appliances with newer, more energy-efficient models if possible (this will also save money on bills!). Don’t buy a second-hand appliance, especially if it’s older than 10 years old because you won’t know how much energy it uses or how long it will last.
For example: if you have an old fridge that’s not as efficient as it once was, consider replacing it with a more modern model that uses less energy. They now have smart technology which will automatically adjust settings based on what type of food is being stored inside! You can find out how much electricity each appliance uses by looking at its Energy Efficiency Label (EEL).
Look for models with an Energy Rating label and check for features such as A+++ ratings. A good way of knowing which appliances need replacing is working out which ones are using the most power.
- Install trickle vents.
Trickle vents are small holes in the roof that allow air to flow through and out of your home. These trickle vents can be installed by DIYers and help to keep the roof cool, helping it to stay at an optimal temperature for longer periods of time. They also help ventilate areas such as lofts, which are usually full of stuff that inhibits airflow, such as insulation material.
Final Thoughts
Green homes are important to us, and we’re here to help you live a greener life. We hope these tips have given you some food for thought about how you can make your home more energy-efficient.
You can also redecorate your home, and give it a new look while being green! You don’t have to spend a lot of money or buy new furniture to update your home. Check out these tips for upscaling your existing furniture for ideas!
