If you are looking for ways to make your property more eco-friendly, there are a number of options you can consider.
Green homes have a number of advantages – in addition to creating a more pleasant living environment, they can help you cut down on your electricity and gas bills as you reduce your carbon emissions. You may choose to make improvements to your existing property or install a completely new form of energy-generating technology, depending on your needs and budget.
Whether you are moving house and want to boost the value of your property or simply want to make your own home more energy efficient, there are plenty of projects to choose from.
To gauge which home improvement project is best for your property, you’ll want to consider several potential areas where work could be done in your home.
Your walls are a good place to start. According to the Energy Saving Trust, up to half of a typical home’s heat loss comes through the walls and loft, so these are excellent areas to begin making green home improvements.
First, evaluate what kind of insulation you will require – cavity wall and loft insulation are two popular types, but you may also want to consider solid wall insulation or floor insulation, as well as a separate product to keep tanks and pipes functioning at the best possible temperatures.
Recommended tradesmen can help you determine what kind of insulation you should be using in your property. It is important to search for an individual affiliated with the National Insulation Association, which is a UK organisation representing manufacturers and installers.If you are looking for ways to make your property more eco-friendly, there are a number of options you can consider.
Insulating your floors and draught-proofing any cracks in the floorboards and skirting boards could help you save even more money – and is a job you could easily do yourself.
Windows are another important feature to consider when planning your eco-friendly home. Energy efficient improvements such as double glazed windows can make your home warmer and quieter.
When choosing the right double glazing materials for your home, you’ll find you have a wide range of options to consider. Some manufacturers use a rating system to help you determine which windows are the most efficient, which is similar to the rating system used on appliances such as washing machines or refrigerators. Generally speaking, a window with an A rating is the most eco-friendly.
Your heating and hot water systems are another potential area for energy efficient home improvements. Figures suggest that boilers can account for an estimated 60 per cent of your total energy bills and you may wish to consider installing a new model if yours is more than 12 years old.
High efficiency condensing boilers can help cut your energy bills considerably and a trained installer can help you determine which model is best for your home. If you have an old G-rated boiler with a new A-rated condensing boiler, you could save up to 1,200 kg of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
All boilers, old and new, should be serviced annually by someone with Gas Safe Register certification – you should never undertake this type of work on your own. You will find that if you are purchasing a new boiler, costs can vary considerably depending on your unique situation, so it is advisable to get at least three quotes before you begin your repairs.
If you’re looking to generate energy rather than simply cut down on your emissions, you may wish to investigate the growing trend for renewable energy technology. Solar panels, wind turbines and biomass heaters all provide a viable alternative to fossil fuels while at the same time helping you reduce your carbon emissions.
You’ll need to determine which of these technologies will work best in your property and investigate what kind of planning permission you will require from the local authority.
Again, recommended tradesmen can help with this process, from helping you to assess which technology will work best in your home to assisting with the appropriate permissions and the installation itself.
Whether you choose to make improvements to your wall insulation, have a new boiler fitted or install new energy-generating technology with the help of professionals, you’ll be enjoying your eco-friendly home in no time.