Eco-friendly home upgrades that are worth the investment in 2020

In 2020, homeowners in the UK are encouraged to live in the most sustainable way possible. We are given recycling bins by the local councils; we can shop at zero waste stores and public transport is often encouraged in order to improve the current state of the environment. For many people, bigger life changes can be tricky to achieve and so they start at home or by cutting down on driving.

Adapting your home to make it more eco-friendly can be an expensive task, especially if you are replacing large appliances or adding insulation. However, many of these updates are worth the investment as you’ll be investing in your future and your children’s. Here, we are going to look at some of the eco-friendly home updates that we think are worth the investment in 2020. Read on to hear what some of these are.

Boiler Replacement

How long have you had your boiler? If it was there before you moved in and you have been living in your home for a number of years, it could be that it isn’t working as efficiently as you would hope. You can use a boiler comparison tool to check your current boiler's efficiency rating from warmzilla.co.uk.

If your boiler isn’t running efficiently, you should really consider replacing it. The cost of a boiler in 2020 isn’t as high as you might think, and it is certainly worth the initial investment. Over time, you’ll save money and live in a much more sustainable way.

Solar Panel Installation

In the UK, solar panels are much less common than you would see in locations with sunnier climates like the USA. However, you’ll find that solar panels are effective in the UK and can help to reduce your overall impact on the local environment. Many people are put off solar panel installation due to the large initial cost but over time, you can save a lot of money. You might find that for an average UK home, solar panel installation can cost between £4,000 to £6,000. However, when you start to generate your own energy, you won’t have to pay high bills each month and you’ll be doing your part for the environment. Some locations around the world even offer grants for solar panel installation so this might be something that is worth looking into to reduce the overall cost.

Insulation

Many of us have insulation in our homes but often, this isn’t as effective as you might think. The great thing about having a well-insulated home is that it can help to keep the energy in and keep your home at the required temperature for longer. If your home isn’t insulated, you’ll use more energy and you won’t be living in an eco-friendly way. So, how much does insulation cost in 2020? Well, the cost of your insulation project will depend on how large your home is and where needs to be insulated. You might also find that your current insulation needs to be replaced so this could increase the overall cost. Many people ignore their attic or their garage, but this can be a mistake. These rooms often let out a lot of heat and so you’ll want to address them when having your insulation checked out. Make the investment now and you’ll thank yourself further down the line.

Appliance Replacement

Another eco-friendly upgrade that is worth the investment is replacing your appliances. If you have recently purchased a new washing machine and dishwasher then you might not be happy to hear this but many of these models are not eco-friendly and if you use them too much, you won’t be able to do what you hope for the environment. In 2020, there are many great eco-friendly appliances that you can invest in that will save you money and energy over the years. This includes washing machines, dryers, fridges and more. Sure, replacing all of your appliances is going to set you back a lot of money but it will be worth it in the end. Plus, replacing your appliances now means that you won’t have to replace them again soon.  

Sealing the Home

Finally, an eco-friendly upgrade that you might want to consider making to your home is to focus on the seals. This includes the windows and the doors that are between your home and the outdoors. If you have low-quality windows, they might not seal properly, and this could have an impact on the sustainability of your home. No one wants to have to replace all of their windows and doors, especially in a larger home, but this can be worth the investment in the long-run. With doors and windows that seal properly, you can keep any hot air inside and turn your boiler off just that bit quicker. This works in a similar way to insulation. Make sure when you are replacing these that you choose high-quality products that are made in a sustainable way. This way, you can be sure that it was worth the investment over time.

Final Thoughts

Many people prefer to spend money on their home by decorating the rooms to stay up with the latest interior design trends. So, when it comes to spending thousands on installing solar panels or replacing the windows, it doesn’t seem quite as desirable. Of course, many of these upgrades will allow you to have a much more sustainable home and you can reduce the overall carbon footprint that your family has.

Before you make any of these changes, make sure to do your research and find cost-effective options. Most of these upgrades will end up saving you money over the years and so they are certainly worth the initial investment. Use our tips and you should be able to make the right decisions in the end.