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Making small but impactful changes around your home can help create a more eco-friendly and practical living space. With rising energy costs and increasing awareness of our carbon footprints, now is the perfect time to implement some inexpensive and simple sustainability swaps. These changes can help us save energy but also still give us a sense of fulfilment when going about our daily lives.

Here are some of the top ways to create an energy efficient home today.

Upgrade old appliances

One of the most effective ways to boost energy efficiency at home is to swap out any outdated, inefficient appliances. Older models tend to use considerably more energy and water than new ones. Focus first on the most-used appliances like your fridge, washing machine and oven. 

When buying replacements, look for energy rating labels showing A++ or A+++ for the best savings. Dishwashers, kettles, TVs and other electronics should be next on your list to upgrade. Also, consider adding appliances like air fryers and microwaves which use less energy for cooking than conventional ovens.

Install a smart thermostat

Managing your heating better can make a big difference to energy usage. Rather than heating your whole home constantly, smart thermostats learn your schedule and target warmth where and when you need it. Models like Google Nest and Hive Active Heating allow easy heating control via smartphone apps.

Switch your boiler

According to the Energy Saving Trust, boilers and heating account for over half of what your household will spend in a year on energy bills. An inefficient boiler can increase your overall yearly costs and waste a lot of this energy usage. New condensing boilers are much more energy efficient, converting more of the fuel to heat. Combination boilers also heat water instantly rather than needing to store hot water. 

Choose eco-flooring

The right flooring can make a real difference to energy efficiency as well as sustainability.

Carpets are very effective insulators and have the added benefit of reducing noise. Look for good quality carpets made from natural fibres like wool. Underlay also boosts insulation.

However, carpets often gather dust, dirt and allergens. So for cleanliness and asthma-friendly homes, smooth flooring is better. Opt for linoleum made from natural materials or bamboo which is highly renewable. Wood and laminate flooring also have low VOC emissions once fitted. They can also be easily recycled at the end of their lifespan. Always choose FSC or PEFC-certified sustainable wood.

Add insulation

Stopping heat escaping from your home through gaps, walls, roofs and windows should be a top priority. Insulation not only helps retain warmth in winter but keeps your home cooler in summer too. 

Loft insulation is one of the easiest and most effective places to start. 270mm depth or more is recommended. Solid wall insulation introduces an internal skin to block heat loss - ideal for period properties. Cavity wall insulation uses blown beads or foam. For windows, look at double or triple glazing, secondary glazing film, and insulating blinds. Draught-proofing strips for doors and floors will also help.

Install solar panels

One of the biggest environmental changes you can make is to install solar PV (photovoltaic) panels. These convert sunlight into electricity to power your home. Solar panels now come in sleek, integrated designs in different colours to suit your roof, and installation costs have reduced considerably in recent years. When you also consider that sunlight is free, it won’t be long before your investment is paid back and you continue to enjoy energy cost reductions. You can generate renewable energy from both direct sunlight and more cloudy days, giving further promising potential.

Save water waste

With Sussex facing increasing pressures on water supplies, reducing usage around your home is essential. Simple measures like low-flow shower heads, tap aerators and regular leak checks add up to big savings. Only run your washing machine, dishwasher and other appliances when fully loaded. Upgrading to water-efficient models will also help cut waste. Consider installing a water butt to harvest rainwater for use in gardens.

Adjust lighting

Lighting accounts for up to 12% of a domestic household’s electricity consumption. With this in mind, make the most of natural daylight wherever possible, and ensure any artificial lighting uses energy-saving bulbs or LEDs. LEDs last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs, use a fraction of the energy and are now available in every fitting. Installing dimmer switches also helps to lower usage, and don't forget small savings like turning lights off when leaving a room.

Go green outside

Your garden and outdoor areas offer plenty of potential for sustainability upgrades too. Water capture systems for irrigation make the most of rainfall. Adding trees, shrubs and hedge plants helps encourage biodiversity. Areas of decking, paving and artificial grass have less need for power tools like mowers and strimmers. Consider installing solar walkways or garden lighting. Compost bins also help to reduce household waste going to landfills while also providing you with free fertiliser. Even simple measures like leaving areas of grass to grow, or adding bird feeders and beehives, can make your garden more eco-friendly.

Consider renewable energy

Beyond solar, there are other renewable sources to consider for heating and powering your home sustainably:

• Air source heat pumps extract warmth from the outside air, even in winter. They provide heating and hot water with zero carbon emissions.
• Ground source heat pumps circulate fluid through pipes buried underground to generate thermal energy.
• Biomass boilers burn wood pellets, chips or logs to provide central heating and hot water with low carbon impact.
• Small-scale wind turbines can supplement your electricity usage if you have enough outdoor space.

While installation costs are higher, all these renewable systems will save substantially on energy bills over time. There are also government incentives like the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive to help cover initial outlay.

Start making the switch

With rising costs and increasing eco-awareness, now is the ideal time to explore energy efficiency upgrades for your home. The good news is that most changes are straightforward and affordable but make an immediate positive difference. First, focus on the adjustments offering the biggest savings such as insulation, heating and appliances. But don't overlook the impact of smaller sustainable swaps like lighting, outdoor spaces and daily energy habits around the home. Together they create a property that is kinder to both the environment and your bank balance.