Wondering how to make your home more sustainable without turning your life upside down? Start with the free habits, then work up to the bigger investments like insulation and solar panels. These 10 tips work for older homes as well as new ones, and most of them cut your energy bills too. For a broader overview, read our guide to making your home greener on Fixmycrib.
1. Use your thermostat smartly
Heating is usually the biggest energy cost in a home, so this is where small changes add up:
Heat the rooms you use most and keep doors closed.
Turn the thermostat down at night and when you're out. A programmable or smart thermostat does this automatically.
Try setting it one degree lower than usual, for example from 20 to 19°C. Most people barely notice the difference.
2. Hang your wet laundry out to dry
A tumble dryer is handy but uses a lot of electricity. Use it selectively: towels come out nice and soft, while shirts, jumpers and trousers can go on a drying rack or washing line. Your clothes will last longer and you're less likely to shrink them. If you dry indoors, open a window or run an extractor to avoid condensation.
3. Use a hot-water bottle or electric blanket
You spend most of your time in the bedroom asleep, so there's little point heating it all evening. Keep the bedroom heating low and warm the bed with a hot-water bottle or electric blanket just before you go to sleep. Check electric blankets for wear regularly and follow the manufacturer's safety instructions.
4. Switch to LED bulbs
LED bulbs use far less electricity than incandescent or halogen bulbs and last much longer. Older compact fluorescent bulbs also take a while to reach full brightness and wear out sooner if switched on and off often. Replace bulbs as they fail, starting with the lights you use most. If a fitting isn't suitable for LEDs, consider replacing it, and pass the old lamp on rather than throwing it away.
5. Separate your waste
When waste is sorted properly, materials such as plastic, metal, glass and paper can be recycled, which saves energy and raw materials. Your local council or waste authority can tell you exactly what goes where in your area. Composting garden and food waste is another easy win if you have the space.
6. Choose energy-efficient appliances
When an appliance needs replacing, check its energy label and running costs, not just the price tag. A heat pump tumble dryer, for example, uses much less energy than an older vented model. The same goes for fridges, washing machines, dishwashers and ovens. An induction hob is efficient too, and helps you move away from gas.
7. Fit an awning or outdoor blinds
If your home overheats in summer, external shading on sunny windows keeps heat out before it gets in, so you rely less on fans or air conditioning. An awning over the patio also gives you shade in the garden. Make sure it's fixed to a sound wall and retract it in strong wind.
8. Solar panels
Now for the bigger investments. Solar panels let you generate your own electricity, so you buy less from your energy supplier and are less exposed to rising prices.
What they cost and how much you save depends on the size and orientation of your roof, any shading, your electricity use and local energy prices. Some countries offer grants or tax relief, so check what applies where you live. Ask installers for an estimate of yearly output, check their certification and what the guarantee covers on panels, inverter and installation. Request free quotes here.
9. Insulation
Insulation is one of the most effective ways to make your home more sustainable. A well-insulated home keeps heat in during winter and out during summer. The main options are cavity wall insulation, roof insulation and floor insulation.
Roof insulation
A lot of heat escapes through the roof, so roof or loft insulation is often the first job to do. Costs depend on the size of the roof and the method used.
Cavity wall insulation
If your home has cavity walls, filling the cavity is usually quick and relatively affordable, as it's done by injecting insulation from the outside. Have the walls surveyed first: not every wall is suitable, for example if there's damp or the cavity is very narrow.
Floor insulation
Insulating under a suspended floor is a smaller job with smaller savings, but it makes rooms noticeably more comfortable, and you'll have warmer feet. Keep air bricks clear so the space under the floor stays ventilated.
10. Heat pump or solar water heater
Once your home is well insulated, look at how you heat it. A heat pump or a solar water heater can cut your gas use considerably.
Heat pump
A heat pump can provide space heating and hot water using electricity and heat from the air or ground. The main types are hybrid heat pumps (which work alongside a boiler), air-to-water and air-to-air heat pumps. Have a certified installer assess your home, as a heat pump works best in a well-insulated house.
Solar water heater
A solar water heater uses the sun to heat your water, so your boiler or heat pump has less work to do. It works best on a roof that gets plenty of sun.
Get advice for your home
Not sure where to start? Begin with the free tips, then get quotes for the bigger measures from several specialists. Compare what they recommend, check reviews and certification, and ask for an estimate of the savings in writing.
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