5 Easy Home Updates to Make Your Space More Eco-Friendly

Two years ago, we bought a Victorian home that is beautiful, but not exactly stellar on energy efficiency. Failing windows, sub-par insulation and an archaic heating system were wasting precious resources and, well, just making things a bit chilly! So while we weren’t quite able to go full eco-home (yet!), we knew we had to make a few changes that would improve the efficiency of our home, and make it a little more eco-friendly. 

Creating an eco-friendly home

Here are some of the things that were top of our list:

1. Efficient heating

Many old houses in the UK have inefficient heating systems, so one of the easiest steps towards an eco-friendly home is simply to replace old failing boilers and radiators with newer, more efficient versions.

Smart meters are gradually becoming more the norm, but there are still plenty of homes without one. While a smart meter won’t automatically reduce your energy consumption, they show what you’re using in near real-time, making you aware of how much energy you’re really using. 

Since we had one installed last year, it’s made me realise that most of our electricity consumption comes from just a few appliances - namely the kettle and the tumble dryer (which we use sparingly in summer but more in winter). This has led me to think more carefully about what I use and when. I boil the kettle with just the water I need, and use the tumble dryer only when it’s really necessary. 

2. High quality glazing

Aside from the impact of more efficient heating, you’ll make your home more eco-friendly by keeping the heat in! Windows can be some of the weakest spots in your home, particularly if you have old or single-glazed windows. By upgrading to double- or even triple-glazing, you’ll keep precious heat in, and get the most out of the energy you’re using.

Not all windows are created equal, so look for those that are at least A-rated on the BFRC rating scale. If you’re replacing sash windows, this is even more important, since this style of window is more prone to gaps. We chose to replace our old windows with uPVC sash windows. uPVC is a form of plastic, but is still worth considering. It’s likely to be more draught-resistant and longer lasting than wood, and it can be recycled at the end of its life. So overall, it’s likely to work out more energy efficient in the long run. 

You can also consider replacing your doors, or installing draft-proofing. The Energy Saving Trust suggests that draft-proofing could save the average household around £20 on their heating bills.

By upgrading to double- or even triple-glazing, you’ll keep precious heat in

3. Smart thermostat and lighting

If you’ve ever struggled to remember to turn lights off, then this is for you! Leaving a single light on every night could cost £280 each year in energy usage, so having light bulbs that can be turned off automatically or remotely could make a real difference. 

Similarly, a learning thermostat like Hive or Nest is designed to learn your usage patterns and prevent unnecessary heating, like when you’re on holiday for example. We had a Hive in our old flat and now have a Nest, and they’ve reduced our energy usage significantly. Our Nest even knows when we head out and when we arrive home, so we’re not using energy we don’t need to. 

4. Insulation

It’s easy to forget about insulation since you don’t see it, but it’s one of the most impactful updates you can make towards an eco-friendly home. Most houses in the UK have flat ceilings and a pitched roof, so adding insulation to the loft space can be easy and cost-effective. Don’t forget to insulate the loft hatch to prevent heat escaping there.

If you’re replacing flooring, investing in good quality underlay can make a real difference to keeping the heat in. Even your choice of flooring makes a difference - we choose to carpet the bedrooms to prevent draughts through the original wood flooring.

5. Natural lighting

Since having your lights on is one of the bigger contributors to energy usage, the simple change of letting in more natural light can make a real difference. You could consider installing additional windows, or replacing your back doors with fully glazed ones. A skylight or conservatory also makes a huge difference to the amount of light in a space. Oh, and it will do wonders for your mood too!

This is a collaborative post.