Whether to save money or to enhance their sustainability credentials, UK homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to make their homes smarter and more environmentally friendly.

As a charity dedicated to addressing climate change and its impacts, Terraverde is committed to helping UK residents make informed decisions about home improvements that benefit both their wallets and the planet.

Here’s our look at how you can make your home ‘smarter’ and more eco-friendly.

1 – Energy-efficient heating solutions

The UK’s climate demands efficient heating solutions to keep homes warm and comfortable throughout the year. Upgrading your heating system can lead to significant energy savings and reduced carbon emissions.

Heat pumps are an increasingly popular alternative to traditional gas boilers. They work by extracting heat from the air or ground outside your home and transferring it indoors. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that installing an air source heat pump could save you up to £1,350 per year on your heating bills compared to electric heating.

Smart thermostats and zonal heating can also help make heating your home a more energy efficient and less expensive process. Smart thermostats enable users to see more clearly how they’re using energy and therefore how they can cut their costs. Zonal heating reduces energy use overall by heating distinct areas of a home individually.

2 – Insulation and draught-proofing

Proper insulation is crucial if you want to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home while reducing energy consumption.

Loft and wall insulation, for example, can save households several hundred pounds on their energy bills each year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Cavity wall insulation and solid wall insulation can likewise result in significant long-term savings for people living in detached and semi-detached houses.

Double or triple glazed windows will also save any household considerable sums of money if they upgrade from single-glazed windows simply because heat will be retained much more thoroughly throughout their property.

Draught proofing can help UK consumers save money for similar reasons. Sealing gaps in windows, using draught excluders and heavy curtains, for example, can keep heat in more effectively and therefore reduce the amount of energy required to heat a home during the colder months of the year.

3 – Renewable energy generation

Generating your own clean energy can significantly reduce your reliance on the grid and lower your carbon footprint.

Solar panels can reduce your energy bills annually by close to £400 for the average British home. The Smart Export Guarantee scheme also allows renewable energy generating households to sell their energy to the national grid, which can be relatively lucrative over time.

Solar thermal systems and micro wind turbines can also boost any household renewable energy capabilities and save them significant sums of money.

4 – Water conservation measures

Implementing water-saving technologies can reduce both your water bills and your environmental impact.

Among the various ways in which a household might aim to reduce their water usage are lowflow showerheads, which can save up to 50 litres of water per shower, dual flush toilets, which are around 50 per cent less water consumptive, and tap aerators, which reduce water flow without limiting the water pressure

5 – Smart home technologies

Smart technologies can be used in simple ways throughout your home to reduce your energy consumption.

Smart lighting systems, for example, can integrate motion sensors, daylights sensors, and remote controls to become more energy efficient.

Smart appliances, meanwhile, can optimise water usage in washing machines, energy use by refrigerators and cooking times within everyday ovens.

6 – Sustainable materials and design

There are lots of ways in which incorporating sustainable materials and design principles can reduce your home’s environmental impact and create a healthier living space.

Reclaimed wood, recycled materials, and natural insulation materials can all be used to make a home more eco-friendly. Similarly, green roofs and living walls can help bolster biodiversity and improve air quality around your home.

7 – Electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure

As the UK moves towards phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles, installing EV charging infrastructure can future-proof your home.

Home charging points are becoming every more commonly used around the country, partly because they are usually cheaper and easier to use than public charging points.

In summary

Making smart and efficient home improvements is not just about reducing energy bills, it’s about creating a more comfortable, sustainable, and future-proof living space.

By implementing a combination of energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy systems, water conservation measures, and sustainable design principles, UK homeowners can significantly reduce their environmental impact while enhancing their quality of life.

Ready to start your home improvement journey?

At Terraverde, we’re committed to supporting individuals and organisations working towards a greener, fairer future.

By donating to us, you can help support high-impact projects that address climate disruption and its effects, including air pollution, flooding, and climate injustice. Visit our website to learn more about how you can support our mission to create a more sustainable world.