Thanks to rising energy prices and global warming, we're all seeking ways to reduce our carbon footprints and cut our utility bills so we can sleep better at night. Data collated by estate agency Cluttons in October 2023 highlighted a 150% annual increase in Google searches of 'sustainable home trends' and other experts agree that a move towards more sustainable homes is no passing fad.
Swapping to natural, eco-friendly materials inside our homes is one way to go greener, but other changes can improve our home's efficiency, both saving us money and increasing our property's value. Click or scroll on as we share 17 ways you can make your home more sustainable...
No matter where you live, it's likely you've seen a rise in your energy bills of late due to a global energy crisis. Coupled with an increase in working from home, household bills have gone up significantly in recent years.
Luckily, though, there are plenty of steps you can take to lower your energy usage, which will both save you money and help save the planet. Let's explore a few...
Generally speaking, the newer the boiler, the more efficient and cost-effective it will be to run, says Checkatrade, with new boilers generally about 90%+ efficient compared with some older boilers, which can be as little as 50% efficient.
"The big win there is that you should see noticeable savings on your energy bills," Chekatrade says. And the savings are bigger than you might expect, with a new A-rated energy-efficient boiler saving you up to £840 per year on your energy bills, according to British Gas. Meanwhile, Go.Compare estimates that a new boiler could add about 4% to your property's value.
A smart thermostat is a clever device that allows you to control your home’s heating from your smartphone, with models offering all sorts of options, from multi-room control to geofencing and draught detection. They are not cheap though (typically between £100-£250), and Money Saving Expert says it all depends on how and why you use them as to whether they make a good investment.
If you have a set routine the savings are probably not great, while those who regularly get home at different times could really notice the savings. That said, according to two independent studies, smart thermostats can, on average, save customers between 10% and 12% per year.
The Cluttons data suggests that each month, 823,000 Brits search online for LED lighting, which is no real surprise since LED bulbs use up to 75% less energy than standard bulbs and last up to 25 times longer.
According to the Power Cost Calculator, incandescent bulbs cost up to six times more to run than LEDs. So replacing your bulbs is a quick, affordable and simple way of improving your home's energy efficiency and reducing your energy bills.
A smart lighting scheme can enable you to control your lights via a smartphone app or digital home assistant, like Alexa or Siri. However, while a smart lighting scheme can allow you far greater control, installing one isn't cheap.
Checkatrade says that, depending on the brand, smart bulbs can start as low as £7 and go up to £50. On average, you can expect to spend £27 on a single bulb. But, you'll also need a hub for central control and possibly dimmer switches, meaning smart lighting for your whole house can range from £3,000 to over £10,000.
As appliances age, their overall efficiency drops, usually due to deteriorating parts. The less energy an appliance uses, the less it costs to run, which makes newer, more energy-efficient models perfect for reducing your energy consumption and bills. One of the items that uses power all the time in our homes is our fridge-freezer, so it's worth considering a newer, more energy-efficient one as soon as you can.
Changes in energy labels came into force in March 2021, which got rid of lots of confusing ratings at the upper end of the scale, Which? now suggests looking for a fridge-freezer with an energy label of D or above.
We don't need to remind you that gas is an extremely expensive commodity and burning natural gases to produce energy creates carbon dioxide and greenhouse emissions that damage the environment. So it's no wonder more people are switching to electric or induction hobs, which are easier to control than gas hobs and work well at lower temperatures.
Induction hobs also have lower energy consumption than gas hobs, making them cheaper to run. This is because all the power goes into the pan and none is wasted in the air between. In fact, according to Cookery Space, 85-90% of the energy goes directly into cooking when using an induction hob, compared to 65-70% on a gas hob. Even better, the cost of purchasing the two is very similar.
Now let's explore the greener home improvements you can make that will save you money and may even add value to your home. It's worth noting that it's important to factor in the purchasing, installation and maintenance costs and work out how much you can save in the long run, to determine whether the overall gain is worth the initial investment.
Solar panels allow you to power your home using free, renewable energy, meaning you can save a nice amount on your monthly energy bills while reducing your carbon footprint. Upfront, however, they are a significant investment. So, are they worth it?
The cost of solar panels depends on the type and size of the system you choose, says Checkatrade, but they estimate the average price to be £8,000, with installation costing as much as £1,800. It also suggests solar panels could save you between £200 and £500 per year on energy bills.
In the UK, it "typically takes around 10 and a half years to break even after installing solar panels." What's more, according to the eco experts, solar panels can improve a property's EPC score, making it more desirable to house hunters and adding up to 14% to its value.
According to energy comparison site USwitch, 25% of all heat lost from a home escapes through the roof, so ensuring your loft is well insulated will make a big difference. The cost of loft insulation will vary based on the material you choose and the type of roof you have.
Checkatrade suggests that loft insulation costs around £37 per metre, with an additional labour cost of £250 a day. Loft insulation will "typically take a couple of years to pay for itself through the savings you’ll make on your heating bills," Which? says. In fact, it suggests you could save as much as £315 a year.
Upgrading your loft insulation will also improve its EPC rating, making it more appealing to buyers and adding as much as 14% to your home's value, according to MoneySuperMarket.
Another great way to boost your home's EPC rating is by replacing your old windows with insulated models. Insulated windows are simply those with more than one pane – also known as double- or triple-glazing. Insulated windows contain an internal air pocket, which makes them far more efficient.
Windows don't come cheap, though. Checkatrade estimates the average cost for a new uPVC casement window is £500, while labour costs an average of £500 per day, depending on the size and type of window, as often two people are needed.
What's more, according to the Energy Saving Trust, A++ rated double-glazed windows replacing single glazing could save up to £150 a year on energy bills. Plus, according to SEH BAC, the job can add an average of around 10% to the value of a home.
Of course, upgrading your windows, boosting your home's insulation and investing in solar panels will all help you be more environmentally friendly. Other home improvements to make your home greener, might not necessarily save money or add value but the likelihood is they will reduce your carbon footprint and encourage you to build more sustainable habits. Plus, they're all relatively easy and cheap to do. Let's take a look...
Decorating your home with non-toxic paint won't add to its value or save you any money in the long term. However, it will certainly benefit the planet. Many standard paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which include a variety of chemicals and research from Clean Air Day suggests that households with high levels of VOCs reported multiple respiratory difficulties.
Eco (or non-toxic) paints, such as Earthborn, however, contain organic materials and are better for people and the planet. While eco paints tend to be a little more expensive than regular paints, they are considered better quality and more durable.
Here's an eco home improvement that will also save you money. A rainwater harvesting system, in the form of a simple rain barrel, will allow you to collect rainwater and reuse it to water your garden or clean your car. Some more advanced systems can be plumbed in, so water can be used for your washing machine, even your shower or toilet.
As well as being fantastic for the environment, adding one to your garden will allow you to cut your water bills. Rainharvesting Systems suggests you could realistically expect to save between 40% and 50% on your water bills if you opt for a professional rainwater collection unit.
Of course, you'll need to consider the initial outlay, which could be as little as £70 for a basic water butt or as much as £2,500 for an entire domestic rainwater harvesting system.
Speaking of saving water and cutting bills, there are plenty of other measures you can take. For starters, an eco shower head, such as those from Triton, will provide you with a high-pressure experience, without using more water, meaning you can turn the dial down and save water.
Plus, Save Money Cut Carbon suggests a well-manufactured eco shower head from a trusted brand will reduce water consumption by up to 60%, which is a big saving year on year.
Unlike regular driveways, permeable ones have voids that allow rainwater to drain through them. This water is then soaked up by your lawn, trees and plants. Often formed from eco-friendly material, like recycled plastic, they can also improve local water quality, aid with flooding risk and, of course, reduce the cost of watering your backyard.
There are different types of permeable driveways, so the cost differs depending on what you buy. Checkatrade says a permeable concrete driveway costs on average £80 per square metre and a resin one £60 per square metre.
It's worth noting that a permeable driveway tends to cost 15% to 20% more than a traditional one, but could last up to 20 years for concrete and 25 for resin.
Again, composting isn't going to suddenly make your home more desirable and it will only save you a minimal sum of money, but the environmental benefits make it worth considering.
By recycling your food scraps and garden waste, you'll reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill and save money on plant food and water. It's cheap, too. All you need is a storage container, which can be bought for as little as £20. You could even build your own using offcuts of timber.
Green walls or vertical gardens are not just visually pleasing, they have myriad hidden benefits. For one, they can provide temperature control and heat reduction. "Plants are better at absorbing sunlight than reflecting it," says Fantastic Gardeners. "Increasing the amount of vegetation in urban areas often has a positive effect, significantly reducing the amount of trapped heat."
Furthermore, a green wall can reduce energy costs. Studies have shown that exterior green walls can reduce surface temperatures by as much as 10°C and in winter, they provide extra insulation, helping you keep your home toasty and reduce energy bills.
Of course, plants also purify air, turning gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into oxygen, which significantly reduces the amounts of CO2 in the air, improving the air quality and the general well-being of people in the area. Checkatrade suggests a professionally installed 5 square metre (16.4 square feet) living wall will set you back an average of £16,000. But you could DIY it for a lot cheaper!
This one might sound a little out there, but native landscaping is a fantastic way of making your home more environmentally friendly. The American Society of Landscape Architects suggests native plants are naturally hardy and healthy. This is because they will be planted in the perfect location, where the soil, water supply and climate are just right. They also create natural habitats for wildlife and improve biodiversity.
Most importantly, they require much less watering and fertiliser to thrive. “Native plants can help decrease pollution because they eliminate the need for mowers and other equipment,” explains the ASLA. Native plants can pull and store excess carbon, too, while drought-tolerant plants are perfect for dry regions.
When decorating your home, you can make environmentally friendly choices, too. By investing in durable and sustainable materials and products, you will not only help reduce landfill waste but lower your carbon footprint. For example, rattan (pictured here in an iconic piece from Desser & Co) is a fantastic material as it is natural and biodegradable so will decompose without causing any environmental harm.
You can also insulate your home with eco materials, like wool or straw, and select durable furnishings that are designed to last. Of course, buying second-hand or opting for furniture made from reclaimed or recycled materials is another eco option. Just remember to do your research before buying.
With plenty of options, it's easy to pick and choose the sustainable home improvements that work for you, your home and your budget. As a reminder, it's always worth calculating whether the reward is worth the initial investment.
Research in 2023 from Make UK Modular, has found that the environmental performance of a new home is important to six in 10 Brits, while 50% would pay more upfront for a greener home and nearly eight in 10 would pay more for a home with lower energy bills. Make of that what you will...
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