What Small Changes Can Make Your Home Green & Sustainable?

If you’re one of those people who want to embrace a sustainable lifestyle, you probably dream of working with experts in eco-friendly architectural design. It’s a rewarding experience to know that your home has achieved carbon-zero emissions. While waiting for this to happen, there are improvements you can make for an eco-friendlier property.

Switch to renewable energy for electricity 

• Using solar photovoltaic cells or panels, you can harvest the sun’s energy to power up your home.
• Combine them with other renewable sources, such as an air source heat pump, for your heating needs.
• Aim to become completely independent from oil and gas-fuelled power sources. 

Use LED bulbs 

• Energy-efficient LED lighting fixtures help reduce utility bills and carbon footprint. 
• While more expensive than traditional bulbs, LED lights are more cost-effective in the long run.
• With a much longer working life, electrical waste is also reduced when you use LED bulbs. 

Upgrade insulation on windows

• Check if your home has a consistent, comfortable temperature all year round with lower heating and cooling needs.
• If the temperature tends to be unstable, additional installation in your roof space or walls may be needed.
• Use double-glazed glass for your windows and doors to prevent heat absorption during summer and heat escape during winter.
• Check for any holes and gaps that allow hot or cold air from entering your home, and seal them up tight.

Replace traditional boilers with heat pumps 

• They have lower carbon emissions while generating enough energy to heat water.
• They have higher efficiency in terms of performance, which makes the initial expensive capital well worth it. 

Improve your home’s energy efficiency 

In addition to LED lights, there are other ways to make her home cleaner and keep the running costs down.

• Reduce air-conditioner use during the summer months by installing ceiling fans to help circulate cooler air. 
• Hang curtains are blinds that can help with heat transfer during summer or winter, while adding visual appeal.
• Switch to appliances with high-star ratings to improve energy efficiency.

Conserve water 

• Replace taps and showerheads with the low-flow varieties to reduce water use. 
• Fix leaks as soon as you notice them to prevent wastage.
• Use rainwater to flush the toilet or water the garden. It’s free and easy to collect if you have a rainwater tank installed.
• Choose plant varieties that are drought-tolerant to further reduce the need for watering the garden.

Achieving an eco-friendly home starts with making small green changes, such as switching to LED bulbs and plugging holes in doors and windows. Once you’re ready to make a bigger impact, work with the green architects of BY Projects Architecture.