Update your house

Being sustainable is not just for a new build or grand design. There’s plenty you can do to your home without tearing down walls. Here are some options to think about.

 

Loft insulation

The roof is responsible for about a quarter of the heat loss in an uninsulated home. You can lower your heating bills and the amount of heat loss by insulating your loft or attic. Additionally, if your loft insulation is less than the recommended 270mm (10½"), it's well worth topping it up.

Installing it is relatively easy and cost-effective, and you should feel the impact immediately. Insulating your loft will save you money for many years to come. It should last for 40 years or more.

 

Improved windows

Most houses lose around 10% of their heat through their windows. The majority is lost through the glass, followed by leaks caused by poorly fitting seals. In addition, cavities and frames contribute to some of the loss.

The simplest way to prevent heat loss from draughty windows is to use draught proofing strips. Think about replacing single-glazed windows with double-glazed or triple-glazed ones. 

Efficient radiators

Updating your radiators to new ones is surprisingly effective. The lower water content in modern radiators results in them being more energy efficient and heating up more quickly. This is mainly because of the increased surface area and enhanced convection fins of modern radiators, which typically use around 24% less water than those manufactured prior to 2000.

 

There are also other factors that can influence the efficiency of radiators, such as magnetite rust deposits and cold areas caused by clogs. Radiators can be restored to a pristine state by using chemical cleaners, and their efficiency can be increased by bleeding radiators or balancing them.

If you don't have any experience with plumbing, installing a replacement or brand-new radiator can be challenging. It is recommended that you hire a plumber or heating engineer who is qualified.

 

Thermostatic Radiator Valves

To control the air temperature in different rooms, thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) are a simple solution. While only having one centralised boiler, they allow you to have numerous heating zones within your house.

The TRV is a self-regulating valve that controls the flow of hot water into a radiator. As the room temperature starts to rise, the valve will come into play and slow the flow of warm water into the radiator. If the room's temperature drops, hot water will once again be allowed to enter the radiator. TRVs can also be used to turn off the heating in rooms that are not in use. This way, you can avoid heating rooms in your home that are not being used.

Using your phone or tablet, you can control these electronic TRVs remotely to check and adjust the temperature of the room.

 

Bee brick

A a third of our food comes about because of the pollination work performed by pollinators, including solitary bees. Bee Bricks are specially designed bricks that can be used as standalones or as part of a wall in place of standard bricks. There are holes in it that are the appropriate size for nesting solitary bees and mimic the habitat of cavity-nesting solitary bees, which have nested in brickwork or old mortar for years.

 

Bat box

Creating a garden that is beneficial to bats will also be beneficial for people, since bats are a sign of a healthy and green environment. You should also keep in mind that it is illegal to intentionally disturb, handle, or kill bats. The presence of bats around your property can help reduce pests in your garden, as well as assist in the pollination of your plants.

As the landscape changes and buildings are improved as well as developed, the place where bats roost; holes in trees, old tunnels, and nooks and crannies in buildings, is becoming increasingly scarce. The installation of bat boxes can contribute to the health of bats by providing them with a new place to roost or by replacing an existing roost.

 

 

Find out more about improving biodiversity in our Easy ways to be sustaiable blog.