12 Creative Ways Homes can be Eco-friendly and Sustainable

27th April 2023

More than ever, homeowners are looking for ways to keep costs down and ensure a more eco-friendly home to live sustainably. As society has become more aware of global warming and increased pollution, communities are trying to become more sustainable. We have curated a list of 12 easy ways to be more eco-friendly at home and create little changes within your household to ensure sustainability.

Increase insulation – A simple way to become more sustainable within your home is to add insulation. There are multiple ways you can do this, including adding internal wall insulation or covering your exterior walls or property with cladding. Increasing the insulation of your home will decrease heating costs and reduce the need to heat your home, which leads to added pollution in the atmosphere.

Add double-glazing windows – By swapping over to double-glazing windows, you will, in turn, add insulation to your home, which increases energy efficiency. Double-glazed windows release less heat than single-pane windows, which keep heat in but also keep the cold out.

Put your washing outside – An easy way to retain energy efficiency and become more eco-friendly is simply putting your washing out to dry outside rather than using a tumble dryer. This reduces energy usage and is a more sustainable option. Obviously, this option is only viable when the weather is good and is usually only possible in the summer months.

Invest in solar panels – Solar panels are a renewable source of power and, in turn, reduce greenhouse gas emissions which mitigates climate change. Solar energy is not just cheaper to heat your home, which is more sustainable but will simultaneously improve air quality. Solar panels will often increase the value of your home incentives of solar energy are that they can work in a variety of climates.

Utilising renewable energy systems – Switching to clean energy sources is a more sustainable option as it reduces air pollution, leading to climate change. There are multiple ways that you, as a home, can switch to renewable energy systems to save money and become more eco-friendly. A benefit of renewable energy is stable energy prices which ensures more reliability and no surprise costs.

Eco-friendly products – Environmentally friendly effects are not only less corrosive, making them safer to use in your homes without causing damage, but are also safer for human health. Some examples of eco-friendly home products include fencing panels made from WPC materials, biodegradable scrubbers, solar panels and energy-efficient light bulbs.

Using biodegradable household products – A simple way to become more sustainable is by ensuring you are using biodegradable household products. This will reduce the influx in landfill sites, as the product will break down naturally in soil, leaving no trace and, in turn, not affecting the environment.

Install a smart meter – By installing a smart meter in your home, you will be able to stay on top of how much you are spending on heating and electricity and make cuts accordingly. A smart meter will mean accurate readings, so you won’t end up paying the wrong prices for your energy bills.
Use your tap – It may seem simple, but by using your tap and reducing bottled water, you can help the environment. Tap water systems produce lower carbon emissions than bottled water which reduces energy consumption. Plastic water bottles often end up in landfills and the ocean, which pollutes the environment.
Lighting – A significant way to ensure you create a sustainable home is through lighting. By using energy-efficient lightbulbs, you will reduce carbon emissions and save energy. Simply turning off lights when not using that room is an easy and cheap way to save money and energy and be more eco-friendly.