Experts reveal five ways to be greener in the home and reduce your carbon footprint

• With searches for green homes up 100% in the past 30 days¹, experts at GoodMove have shared five eco-retrofits to make to your property, to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint
• From renewable energy sources to replacing your shower head, experts reveal how you can reduce your carbon footprint (and even save on energy bills)

As we become more eco-conscious, attention turns to the energy we use at home. And with increasing pressure for homeowners to futureproof their homes against legislations and buyer demand for eco-friendly features, how do Brits make their homes greener?

From alternative energy sources to home insulation, experts at regulated property buyers Good Move have revealed simple eco-retrofits you can make to your property to reduce your carbon footprint (and even save on energy bills)!

1. Insulation and windows

When it comes to reducing your carbon footprint, home insulation is the eco-retrofit to start with. Considering much of the heating loss is through lack of insulation, insulation is a great investment for homeowners to save on their bills and help the environment. Although the upfront cost can start from £250, in the long run, you can expect to save around £150 a year on bills.

Furthermore, a fair amount of your home’s heating can be lost through windows, and therefore triple or double-glazed windows can help reduce this. For optimum energy efficiency, invest in a low emissivity or ‘Low-E’ glass. Low emissivity glass has an invisible metal oxide coating on one side of the pane, allowing light to pass through freely, but preventing more heat from escaping.

1. Appliances and lighting

Using energy-efficient appliances can make a massive impact on the sustainability of your home. So, if you’re on the market for a new washing machine or tumble dryer, make sure to look at the energy rating on the appliance which ranges from A-G. Top tip: A is marked as the most sustainable rating.

Furthermore, using energy-efficient bulbs can also make a massive difference in your energy output. Only 10% of the energy used by an incandescent bulb produces light; the rest is given off as heat.² Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) are up to four times as efficient as incandescent bulbs. So, investing in energy saving light bulbs is definitely a bright idea!

1. Renewable heating systems

Renewable heating systems such as air source heat pumps are a renewable heating alternative for your home that can act as a replacement for a traditional gas boiler. In short, ground-source heat pumps use buried pipes to extract heat from the earth for your home’s heating and hot water circuits.

With a gas boiler ban, these heating systems are a way of futureproofing your home and are therefore a worthy long-term investment.

1. Energy Generation

If you are looking to invest in sustainability long term, solar power is the perfect way to do so. As a renewable energy source, solar makes a massive difference to your carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. The average set of solar panels cost between £2500 to £8000 including insulation cost and need maintenance approximately every 25 years.

Plus, unless you live in Northern Ireland or Wales, you do not need planning permission for this. Although, if you live on a heritage site you will need to get in touch with your local council as different rules apply.

1. Save water with a low-flow shower head

We’re all told how showering saves energy and uses less water than having a bath. However, the type of shower head used can make a massive different to water consumption. In fact, a family of four using low-flow showerheads instead of full-flow models can save about 20,000 gallons of water per year.

You will save more energy if you opt for an aerated or low-flow shower head. Spend less time under the water too. No longer than ten minutes. That should be optimal to wash your hair, body and even belt out an Adele song!

 Commenting, Nima Ghasri, Director at Good Move says: “We know the government’s green homes scheme may not have fulfilled its promises, yet there are many ways homeowners can make eco-retrofits to their home – and in the long run, save on bills. Green homes are becoming high on the checklist for buyers so we hope these changes can not only help homeowners save on bills but can further raise the value of your property in the long term.”

For those interested in more information on how to live more sustainably in the home, please visit: https://goodmove.co.uk/blog/how-to-live-more-sustainably/