Sustainability is a term that has now become a part of mainstream interior design trends, as well as driving a number of property renovations. This is not solely because residents wish to better improve their impact on the environment but also because utility prices are rising. Monthly bills, such as electricity and gas, are rising at such a rate that sustainable energy solutions are becoming even more attractive.
Transforming a home into a living space that’s beneficial to the environment doesn’t have to be a costly endeavour. In fact, even small steps can go a long way in reducing residential carbon footprints while simultaneously lowering the cost of bills. To show you how, we’re sharing four of the most definitive ways to design your home, turning it into an example of sustainable living.
Insulate
Reducing your energy costs can be done in a number of ways. However, living within the UK, insulation plays one of the biggest roles. Being able to keep the heat more effectively inside a home ensures that power consumption is reduced. Radiators and stoves go much further and only a small amount of power is required to maintain a home’s comfort.
Improving a property’s insulation can be an expensive affair depending on the state of your home’s foundations. However, smaller tasks, such as replacing windows and improving an attic space can go a long way.
Alternative Power
Solar panels are becoming more affordable and more efficient. With the additional rollout of batteries, power can be stored too, giving homeowners even greater incentive to subsidise their energy bills and reduce their reliance on a central power grid.
Additionally, smaller panels can be obtained and used elsewhere. Residents can benefit from these compact alternatives by installing them on garden sheds or log cabins, charging a battery that is then used within their homes.
Compost
It might surprise many residents to learn just how much of their carbon footprint is created by food waste. Vegetables that are left to go mouldy and scraps on a plate all add up to a significant amount of carbon. If, however, a home is designed with food waste management systems, such as composting, then much of this carbon can be recovered.
Many councils across the UK offer subsidised composting options, either arranging their own central food waste services or reducing the price of a home compost system installation. So, before you start building your own, check to see if it’s cheaper to buy one with a discount.
Smart Features
Technology is helping to change the way we live. Among many of the benefits is the reduction in energy consumption within a home. This happens with the addition of smart gadgets. Lighting, for example, is often left on, slowly adding up each minute. Smart lights can detect when a room is empty and turn off their own power. Other such devices, including those that consume significantly more energy, like boilers, can be given many of the same features. So, if you are looking for ways in which to design an energy-efficient home, it is worth looking into smart features.
