Home interiors can be notoriously bad for the environment, from leaking taps to high thermostats. Home exteriors can be just as bad for the environment, especially if the house is particularly old or poorly designed. If you are looking to renovate your house, this is the perfect time to install environmentally friendly items that can both help you save on bills and reduce your carbon footprint. Even if you are not renovating and want little hassle to help the environment, there are small changes that can be made to reduce your house’s impact on the world.
Double Glazing – Replacing single glazed windows with double glazing is a simple yet effective way of reducing your effect on the environment. Single glazed windows are often found in old houses and buildings that have not had the necessary upgrade, leaving them cold and drafty. Without double glazing, heat can escape through the poorly insulated windows, and cold air can enter around them. Replacing these with double glazing can not only help the environment but double glazing’s advantages include reducing your energy bills, and the amount of electricity and heating you currently use. Additionally, you can use filler to stop the gaps in between the window and the windowsill, reducing the amount of cold air that can enter.
Insulation – Insulation is another important way that you can reduce the amount of heat leaking through your walls. This is especially important if you have a loft conversion, as heat rises to the roof where it can then find space to exit your house. Combat these issues by fitting your home with thick and high-quality insulation, as this will stop the weather impacting your house’s warmth as much, meaning that you can have the thermostat turned down lower than if the heat was escaping.
Solar Panels – Solar panels are a worthwhile investment when it comes to environmentally friendly home improvements. Although the benefits of home solar systems vary due to your location, once installed, they collect renewable energy straight from the sun, reducing the need to use electricity from the grid to heat your house. Even better than that is the fact you will be saving money throughout the year, meaning the panels will also eventually pay for themselves! At Going Solar, they break down the costs and payback time for home solar systems state by state, allowing you to see the advantages of your investment before the initial installation.
Permeable Paving – From a manufacturer’s dream to domestic use, permeable paving is quickly becoming a staple of every homeowner’s driveway due to its eco-friendly technology. Permeable paving is built with wider gaps between the slabs, meaning that excess water can move along the surface and drain away underneath it. Although they take on the appearance of standard paving stones, permeable paving allows you to collect the rainwater for other uses around your home, as well as being a great flood barrier to increase the safety of your home.