Eco-friendly Home Improvements You Can Do

Improving the environment is a key focus for every aspect of our lives to ensure we do our bit to create a greener future. Being eco-friendly makes sure that you don’t cause harm to the environment or people. Individually, you have a significant impact on the environment with everything you do, from driving to work to the products you choose. It is important to make eco-conscious decisions to reduce your negative impact. 

These choices can even be made when it comes to home improvements. Explore how to effectively carry out eco-friendly home improvements to help reduce your negative impact on the environment and strive for a greener future.

Switch to LED light bulbs

Making more sustainable home improvements can be started easily with small changes that can make a huge difference. Begin your sustainable home journey by switching to energy-efficient lighting to make a significant difference to the way you live while not needing to splash the cash. When a lightbulb you have goes out, change it to an LED one to save energy usage. This not only helps to prevent wasted energy that pollutes the planet, but it can also save you money on energy bills! 

Use renewable electricity

Improve the way your home uses electricity and ensure you use less energy by installing solar panels on your home to use renewable electricity. Make sure that solar panels are compatible with your home and meet your requirements. You need to understand your home’s average energy usage to make sure that the renewable source generates enough power for it. If it doesn’t, finding a hybrid source may work better.

Solar panels can generate your electricity using the sun and allow you to stop wasting energy and have an environmentally friendly way of powering your home. You can make the most out of the sun’s power even when the weather isn’t sunny and use what Mother Nature gives you to cut down your home’s emissions.

Have smart solutions

Using smart solutions in your home can significantly help you to cut down your emissions and help save the planet. Have smart heating systems that allow you to control the use of your heating, so you don’t waste energy. These make your existing heating system efficient and eco-friendly as you gain control of when you do and don’t use the heating. Smart thermostats help save energy by reducing how often you turn on the boiler, keeping your home at the optimal temperature.

Smart taps are also another great solution to integrate within your home. Upgrade taps and showers to water-saving versions so you don’t waste water and manage your water usage more effectively. Aerating taps are a cheaper option that mixes air with water, so you get a gushing flow without using as much water. 

Find new and eco ways to create bespoke pieces

If you want some unique furniture pieces for your home when redecorating or renovating, you can look for eco products and ways that these can be created. For example, for a unique table or art feature that you want in your home, you could find 3D printing services in the UK as an easier and more sustainable way to create it. You could also research companies that produce bespoke items to see their sustainable initiatives and the action they are taking to help protect the planet.

Upgrade your windows

Heating and cooling your home can use a large amount of energy throughout the year. Old windows can be a massive contributor to your energy consumption and demands. About 25% of a home’s energy is wasted through old windows. A great way to prevent this and reduce your waste is to upgrade your windows to double-paned ones. These are properly sealed so can keep the cold out and trap the heat in, meaning you don’t have to heat your home as often.

Invest in energy efficient appliances

Appliances today have advanced from previous years to be more energy efficient. Ensuring you invest in energy efficient appliances allows you to reduce the energy you use and waste and save you money, as well as the planet. Prioritize appliances that are energy star certified to have a more optimal and sustainable home.

Use renewable heating

Find renewable heating sources to reduce your carbon emissions used throughout the year in your home. Install low-carbon heating systems such as biomass boilers and heat pumps. 

Heat pumps are eco-friendly energy sources as they use the earth’s natural resources to generate electricity through pipes and technology, heating your home in an energy-efficient way. 

Biomass boilers can still emit carbon emissions because of the requirement to burn wooden material. However, they still emit much less carbon emissions compared to other sources.

Have a garden on your roof

Further your sustainability in your home by having a green roof implemented to your home’s roof. A green roof provides insulation and helps rainwater runoff, prolonging the life span of your roof. 

You can have an intensive green roof that has a deep soil layer to support a variety of plants, like shrubs, trees, and small vegetable gardens. They offer a beautiful aesthetic but are harder to maintain. As well as this, you can have an extensive green roof which is lighter and less complex. These have a shallower layer of soil to support low-growing plants like grass and moss. Both of these roofs provide a wonderful ecosystem for wildlife to flourish, giving back to the world. 

Decorate with sustainable materials

When decorating, you can look for sustainable materials to ensure that your home is as sustainable as possible. You can use recycled or upcycled furniture instead of purchasing brand new ones to make an eco-friendly decision. You can purchase either furniture made with recycled materials or second-hand furniture from thrift stores. 

There is even eco-friendly paint you can choose to give your walls a fresh coat of paint and a splash of color without harming the planet. Look for paints that are planet loving and free from harmful chemicals. You can check these by finding paints with low or no VOCs for a healthy indoor environment. 

Use these eco-friendly home improvements you can do throughout every aspect of your home to reduce your waste and carbon emissions while making sustainable choices. Be kinder to the planet and protect it for future generations to enjoy a healthy and thriving Earth.