Creating the Ultimate Eco-friendly Home

Eco-friendly Home Renovation

The UK has been recognised as a leader in sustainability; in fact, it ranks 6th worldwide. But UK households are responsible for 20%¹ of the country’s emissions.  That being said, 32%¹ of Brits want to renovate and upgrade homes to become more environmentally conscious. All homeowners need to consider their home’s impact on the environment.

With this in mind, Confused.com Energy has provided insight and expert tips on creating the ultimate eco-friendly home.

The experts at Confused.com Energy commented: “Adopting small yet impactful eco-friendly changes in our daily lives can significantly reduce environmental harm and save you money in the long run. LED bulbs, for example, can reduce carbon emissions by up to 40kg per year. Switching to A-rated energy-efficient appliances can also save you £30 or more annually.”

“These seemingly minor adjustments collectively make a big difference by lowering energy consumption, reducing utility bills, and minimising our overall carbon footprint.”

Five tips on an eco-friendly home renovation:

  1. Power in plants

Almost 9 in 10 (87%) adults in the UK are changing their lifestyle to help tackle environmental issues. But there’s a straightforward way to contribute to the world’s ecosystem that many don’t consider. With varying types, sizes, and benefits, plants make a great decor item that also has eco-friendly benefits. Not only do they make versatile and unique decor to add character to a room, but they also help improve air quality.

One large indoor plant could absorb up to 1.3 kilograms² of carbon dioxide annually. This is because plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen³ into the air. Indoor plants can also help to regulate temperature.

  1. Low VOC decor

It is key to keep in mind the internal factors of the home which may be impacting your carbon footprint. For example, whether sustainable, low-VOC paints have been used. These paints usually come in two varieties, the first containing less than 50 grams of VOC per litre for flat finishes and the other, less than 150 grams per litre⁴ for non-flat finishes. Using water-based paint is excellent for making the home sustainable as it doesn’t sacrifice quality or performance.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be harmful to your health. But using low-VOC options for paint, wood stains, and other interior decor elements in your home can help reduce the emission of harmful chemicals and will contribute to better indoor air quality.

  1. Eco-safe appliances

On average, the UK produces 1.45 million tonnes⁷ of electrical waste annually, but prioritising high energy-efficient appliances, your home will become more sustainable. You can identify its efficiency levels by checking the energy label which runs from A to F, with A being the most efficient.

These labels allow consumers to make informed choices and consider the environmental impact of household appliances. For example, washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14%⁸ of a typical energy bill. An A-rated dishwasher costs £35 a year⁸ to run compared to a G-rated machine that will cost almost double at £65 a year. Opting for a higher rated appliance, washing your clothes at a lower temperature and avoiding half-loads will help reduce your usage and make your daily chores more eco-friendly.

  1. Energy-efficient lighting

Compared to traditional light bulbs, energy-saving bulbs last up to 12 times⁷ as long, providing the same quality for less energy usage. LED bulbs run at 80-90% energy efficiency and can also reduce carbon emissions by up to 40kg⁷ annually.

Within the past three years two-thirds of lightbulbs sold in Britain were LEDs. It would cost an average of £180 in total to replace the entire home with these eco-friendly bulbs and save at least £40 annually per household⁸. The great benefit of using LED lighting is they’re also available in a range of brightness levels and designs. This can give you full interior design control to suit your rooms, especially during the darker evenings.

  1. Renewable energy

Whilst it can be difficult to constantly be conscious about your energy usage and spending, one way to help prioritise eco-living is by switching to a renewable electricity source. Options such as solar photovoltaic installations, or solar panels, convert the sun’s energy into electricity by using photovoltaic cells. This in turn, generates a reliable, sustainable and low-maintenance source of energy saving the average household one tonne of carbon⁷ per year.

You can also combine solar PV’s with electric heating systems to run your heating and hot water purely using renewable sources. If you include solar battery storage to accompany your PV system, you can store energy and use it whenever you need, giving complete independence.

Sources

¹https://www.independent.co.uk/advisor/solar-panels/green-home-improvements

²https://www.happyhouseplants.co.uk/blogs/houseplant-blog/can-houseplants-save-the-planet#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20a%20study%20conducted,to%20reducing%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions.

³https://helmlondon.com/blogs/blog/the-role-of-indoor-plants-in-creating-an-eco-friendly-and-air-purifying-interior#:~:text=Creating%20an%20Eco%2DFriendly%20Interior,reduce%20your%20home’s%20carbon%20footprint.

⁴uk-voc-compliance-guide-water-based-paints-eco-friendly-solutions-ips-paint-supplies

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8700805/

⁵https://ecospaints.net/blog/10-impressive-green-design-tips-for-an-eco-friendly-home

⁶https://www.kindhomesolutions.com/eco-friendly-painting-choosing-sustainable-and-low-voc-paints-for-your-home/#:~:text=Low%2DVOC%20paints%20are%20a,the%20air%20or%20your%20home

⁷https://www.materialfocus.org.uk/press-releases/electrical-waste-challenges-and-opportunities/

⁸https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/top-five-energy-consuming-home-appliances/