You want what’s best for your home. You want what’s best for the planet. For eco-minded homeowners, there’s often a tension between making their home more comfortable and livable while also ensuring that it’s good for the wider ecosystem.
Happily, those things really do align a lot more frequently than you might think. In fact, it’s usually the earth-damaging home improvements — such as adding a swimming pool, jacuzzi, or heated driveway — that you have to be sceptical about.
If you’re looking to make your home the best that it can be while also doing what’s right by the planet, then this page is for you. We’ll run through some of the best home upgrades that benefit all involved, and many of them will even help to nudge your property’s value in the right direction, too.
Install Solar Panels
Looking to set yourself apart as a bona fide eco-warrior? There’s no better way to demonstrate it than by adding solar panels to your property. With solar panels more effective than ever, it’s possible for UK homeowners to generate all of their home’s power needs even on cloudy days.
And while solar panels have a high upfront cost, they pay for themselves pretty quickly — usually around 5 – 7 years, at which point you’ll be generating clean, renewable energy free of charge. Studies have also shown that UK homes with solar panels sell for around 6 – 7 % more than homes that rely on fossil fuels. If you’re serious about helping yourself and the planet, then solar panels are a no-brainer.
Add Timber Cladding
Looking to give your front-of-house an earth-friendly appearance boost? Then timber cladding could offer the perfect solution. This exterior decor choice can significantly improve your home’s curb appeal, giving it a warm and inviting aesthetic without relying on non-renewable materials (just make sure the timber comes from sustainable sources). Timber cladding is also known for being extremely effective at blocking out exterior noise, so not only will it look great from the outside, but it’ll also lead to a more peaceful environment on the inside.
Boost Your Insulation
Energy bills are already high. There’s no reason to make them even higher. Even though there’s been a big drive towards improving insulation over the past few decades, some properties still fall short, especially older homes. Working to enhance your home’s insulation can have a big impact on your comfort levels, energy bills, and carbon footprint (better insulation = less energy required). Pay particular attention to improving your loft’s insulation — 25% of heat loss is due to insufficient loft insulation.
Put Together a Wildlife-Friendly Garden
The UK’s wildlife is facing more threats than ever before. You can boost your home and do right by the planet by putting together a wildlife-friendly garden that can become a safe space for butterflies, bees, hedgehogs, and frogs. Happily, most initiatives that are good for wildlife are also good for your enjoyment of your backyard. There’s much to love about watching insects enjoy your flowers or seeing frogs make a home in your pond.
This is a collaborative post.