Sustainable Changes to Make Ahead of Winter

With energy costs remaining high, and the cost-of-living crisis continuing to squeeze household budgets, deciding when to switch on the heating has become the annual deliberation. Alongside this many homeowners find themselves debating how to make their homes more energy-efficient too. 

Now is the ideal time to consider sustainable changes to your home, before winter takes hold. Whether you’re looking to optimise the energy efficiency of a modern residence or upgrade an older home, there are numerous eco-friendly improvements you can make to boost your heating and reduce your bills, ahead of the coldest months of the year. 

This article focuses on the benefits and value of being wise about energy and installing renewables to future-proof and warm your home this winter. 

Recognising the Benefits of a Sustainable Home

Government figures suggest that housing is responsible for a quarter of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, climate change and steeper energy prices have piqued people’s interest in which sustainable measures might be worth investing in. The benefits of having a sustainable home are becoming well documented, with more knowledge around how to save on utility bills by switching to renewable energies. 

Solar panels can significantly reduce your electricity bills by generating free power from sunlight. Typical annual savings range from £300-£700 depending on the size you choose and your energy usage. Additionally, homeowners can earn money by selling excess electricity back to the grid through the government’s Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme, while also reducing their carbon footprint and increasing their property's value.

The sustainable changes you make to your property may depend on the type of property you have but, nevertheless, reviewing installation options for heat pumps or solar panels is a viable change worth considering for any home’s long-term future. 

Prioritising Greener Features 

The drive toward eco-friendly homes has gained momentum in recent years, with homeowners recognizing that saving power means saving money, and increasingly turning to smart meters to monitor their household energy usage. 

Making informed decisions about sustainable improvements requires careful research. This includes dispelling common energy-saving myths, such as whether it's more economical to leave heating running continuously or to use timer controls. Many energy-efficient changes throughout the home can contribute to meaningful reductions in energy bills. While significant upgrades like solar panel installations can transform your home's energy profile, even steps such as installing LED light bulbs, unplugging devices not in use, and draft-proofing your home all contribute to costs, efficiencies, and environmental impact.

Investing in Insulation

Investing and improving insulation across your home can make some of the most significant differences in how comfortable and energy-efficient your home is. Heating bills will be higher if you fail to insulate your home properly because much of the heat will escape. Effective insulation can enhance your property’s EPC rating, with common measures to employ including:

• draught-proofing windows and doors
• sealing any gaps in floors and around skirting boards
• adding rugs on the floor or fitted carpets
• double-glazing windows for better insulation 
• insulating lofts and walls 

If your property has single-glazed windows, it’s worth considering an upgrade to the latest double-glazed or triple-glazed models, given that about a fifth of heat loss occurs through single-glazed windows and doors. With government grants available, it’s also a good idea to address any heat loss from poorly insulated roofs, walls, and loft spaces. Upgrading your loft’s insulation and buying cavity wall insulation can make a big difference.

Reviewing Heating and Water Options 

When it comes to domestic heating, the most modern gas central heating boilers offer much greater energy efficiency. Boilers should be replaced roughly every 15 years, and it’s possible to look into any extra funding to assist with this via the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme. 

Alternatively, heat pumps are being praised as one of the best low-carbon alternatives to burning fossil fuels. While there is a variety of heat pumps available, they all extract heat from an external source. Every heat pump draws heat from one of three potential sources— air, water, or ground— which gives each style its name. 

Along with heating, water usage represents a sizable household expense that demands careful consideration. The good news is that there are some sustainable changes you can make for a guilt-free bath to warm up with this winter, including: 

• adding eco taps in kitchens and bathrooms
• choosing aerated shower heads
• switching to dual flush toilets and water-saving cistern devices

Adding Value to your Property

Making changes to create an energy-efficient and more sustainable home is not just valuable in terms of the financial benefits and greater comfort it affords you and your family. You are also future-proofing your home and adding value to the property further down the line. In fact, today’s homeowners are happy to pay a premium for a sustainable home, so these upgrades can be a great investment over time and for when you decide to sell your home.

Making sustainable changes ahead of winter isn't just about staying warm during the colder months – it's an investment into your property's future and the environment. With plentiful information on technology and support available for installing renewable energies, there's never been a better time to make your home more sustainable.