The Best Eco-Conscious Investments For Your Property

Energy efficiency is a hot topic in the housing market right now – for good reason! Energy-efficient homes reduce environmental pollution and consume less energy, leading to significant cost savings for homeowners.

There is a lot to think about when you’re buying a house, but you shouldn’t ignore energy efficiency. Below, we are going to discuss some of the best green features you should look for in a property. If you’re looking for ways to make your home more energy efficient, then you can invest in some of these improvements to reduce carbon emissions and save money.

Maximise natural sunlight

Maximising natural sunlight in your home is a simple way to make your home more energy-efficient. The sun’s rays will heat your home naturally and you will have less need for both electric lighting and artificial heating.

There are plenty of creative ways to maximise natural light in your home. You could install a skylight or add extra windows to allow light to flood into your rooms. Introducing lighter colours to your walls can also bring more light into your home. According to House Beautiful: “Shades of white will make a space feel brighter as it reflects the natural light entering the room, rather than absorbing it.” Mirrors and other shiny decorative items can also reflect light and make your rooms appear bigger and brighter.

Utilise smart technology

Smart technology has advanced rapidly and new smart home technologies can make houses smart and green. There is a wide variety of smart devices that can make your home more energy-efficient and slash your monthly energy costs. Here are some of the top smart home technologies to consider:

• Smart thermostat - A smart thermostat allows you to manage your home’s temperature remotely and manage your energy consumption in real-time. Netatmo claims that a smart thermostat can reduce your energy usage by 37%
• Smart lighting - Smart lighting systems enable you to control your lighting remotely via an app on your smartphone or tablet. Smart light bulbs can also be controlled by automation or voice controls.
• Smart outlets - Smart outlets lower your electricity usage by preventing energy vampires. The term “energy vampire” refers to appliances that use electricity when they are plugged in, even when you’re not using them e.g. laptop chargers or TVs on standby mode.

Embrace solar power

Solar power has surged in popularity and around 900,000 homes in the UK now have solar panels installed according to The Solar Trade Association. Solar energy is abundant and photovoltaic panels have become increasingly cost-effective. Solar panels will make your home more energy-efficient and should provide the bulk of your electricity needs.

Solar power has a much lower environmental impact when compared to conventional electricity sources and it could also save you money. Experts at greenmatch.com state that a 3kW solar system could save you £160 a year on utility costs while a 6kW system could lead to cost savings of £430.

Plan a green extension

Planning an extension can be a great way to create additional living space without the hassle and cost of moving to a new property. Adding an extension to your home can also boost your resale value and help you attract buyers if you decide to sell in the future.

If you want to extend your property, then use green building materials to make the extension as eco-friendly as possible. You could add an extension to your property by converting an old shipping container, for example. Experts at S Jones explain how: “Shipping containers come in a range of sizes, from 10ft to 40ft! Looking for a pre-owned container can reduce your impact too.” Shipping container extensions are eco-friendly, affordable, and give you the freedom to create your ideal living space.

Install triple glazing

Many older properties still have single-pane windows. Upgrading to triple glazed windows will prevent heat from escaping and instantly make your home more energy-efficient. If your home has double glazed windows, then switching to triple glazing could also reduce your energy consumption and lower your monthly heating bills.

Summary

There are loads of great reasons to invest in an energy-efficient home. Not only is an energy-efficient property better for the environment, but it could also save you significant amounts of money. Eco-conscious homes use less energy, which translated to long-term cost savings for the homeowners.

If you are looking to buy a new home, then search for a property with some of the eco-friendly features mentioned above. If you want to remain living in your current property, then invest in some of these improvements to make your home more energy-efficient.