Upgrade your home: the complete guide to green and eco-friendly renovations for homeowners

Sustainability, according to the United Nations, is the idea that development should “meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

The value we’re placing on sustainability across our lives is increasing, as we try to combat climate change and become more aware of the impact of our buying and lifestyle choices on future generations. Sustainability is especially important to Millennials (born 1981-96) and Gen Zs (born 1997-early 2000s), as they have grown up against the background of an ongoing climate crisis.

But there is growing concern across the generations: 60% of Britons of all ages now agree that climate change is the biggest threat to civilisation, according to YouGov research. And naturally, those attitudes will have an influence when it comes to renovating our homes too.

Sustainable renovation focuses on both using more locally sourced, eco-friendly materials to replace existing ones when renovating, and actively making changes to make a property more environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient.

In this guide, we’ll look at the value of sustainable home improvements, and some of the large and small-scale renovation projects you might want to consider. We’ll also highlight some key practical and financial things to consider – such as sustainable project management, green mortgages, and the effect of eco-friendly renovations on your insurance.

The value of sustainable home improvements 

Even if eco-friendly options are not always the cheapest choice up front, they do tend to be worth the investment for both the planet and your wallet in the longer term.

They can significantly reduce energy use and carbon emissions, which saves you money on energy bills. They can improve the appeal of your home to potential buyers. And, most importantly, they help to reduce the amount of harmful gases being released into the atmosphere.

Do sustainable home improvements cost more?

Eco-friendly renovations tend to cost more upfront, although there’s a lack of consensus about how much more. A report by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development suggested the cost of an eco-friendly build is 17% more than a regular one, while The Renewable Energy Hub suggested the figure was 2%.

But if sustainable features can have a higher upfront cost, this can be recouped over time in savings on energy bills and improved property value. For example, the time it takes to make back the cost of installing solar panels can be between 7 and 15 years, depending on variables like how much the installation costs and how much electricity you use at home.

Additionally, there are some government grants available for bigger changes, like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers one grant per property towards a heat pump or biomass boiler. Be sure to do your research during the planning stage so you know which renovations fit into your budget and whether you can save money on them.

Growing demand for sustainable homes

Sustainable renovations also add value when it comes to selling. Rising energy costs, Government regulations and net-zero targets mean that eco-friendly homes are more and more in demand. By offering money-saving energy efficiency, tapping into buyers’ eco-conscious values and aligning with ever-stricter environmental targets, greener homes are likely to be a future-proof investment for buyers.

Making your home more energy efficient will improve its resale value. All properties for sale in the UK are required to hold a valid EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) when built, sold, and rented. The certificate lasts for ten years and indicates how energy efficient the property is, on a scale of G (least efficient) to A (most efficient).

The EPC also gives a potential rating the property could achieve if appropriate work was done. Renovations like improving insulation, installing energy efficient lighting, upgrading your boiler or installing solar panels can all improve your property’s EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating.

And that’s good news, because research by Gov.uk has shown that a higher EPC rating leads to a higher selling price per square metre. The study also found that properties with C and D EPC ratings “appreciated at a significantly higher rate” as compared to dwellings with a G-rated EPC certificate, indicating that even improving your EPC rating by a few steps can add value to your property.

Sustainable renovation options: smaller-scale

Eco-friendly renovations can range from small upgrades to much larger and extensive changes. In this section we’ll look at a range of options, ranging from improving existing features to carrying out ordinary renovation projects in more sustainable ways.

Sourcing materials

Eco-friendly renovations don’t all have to be large projects. One of the best things you can do when updating your property is take care with where you are getting your materials from, making choices that will last well into the future.

Using recycled or reclaimed materials is good for reducing your overall product consumption and can often be cheaper, too. You can even source second-hand sinks, baths, and even full kitchens suites online, so get hunting as early as possible to create your dream home.

When you’re having any internal building work done, make sure to discuss ‘deconstructing’ with your builders rather than demolishing. By having this conversation before they start work, you can ask them to be careful with how they take out any existing materials, as then you can potentially reuse some of these in a new way.

Decoration

When decorating your rooms, opt for companies that offer Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified wallpaper. This means that the materials are from well-managed forests or are recycled, which is more environmentally sustainable.

If you prefer paint, look at eco-friendly, natural paints. These do not contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which contribute to global warming, or ingredients that harm the planet to obtain.

Eco-friendly electrical appliances

When you’re fitting out your updated home with new appliances, make sure that you do your research first. Choosing energy-efficient appliances can both benefit the planet and reduce your energy bills, especially if you consider that your fridge and freezer will be running 365 days a year.

When purchasing your new products, take a look at the sustainability credentials of the company that produces it, as well as the energy efficiency rating of the specific item. The ratings run from A to G, with A the most efficient.

Water-saving devices

If you’re replacing your bathroom fixtures and fittings, you have the chance to save water. By choosing a low-flow showerhead, you can reduce the amount of water that you use for showering at the source, rather than just trying to have a quicker wash.

There are two options for a low-flow showerhead: aerated, or non-aerated. Aerated heads work by combining the water with room temperature air, so the water that comes out in the shower is similar to rain, rather than a jet. The non-aerated option uses a restrictor to allow less water through, and also pushes it through small holes, so that the water comes out under higher pressure.

You should also look to replace your toilet with a low-flow version, which uses less water to flush. These dual-button toilets are increasingly common now, making this an easy eco-swap.

Larger-scale renovations  

In this section we’ll look at more radical renovation projects, such as fitting specific energy-saving features and improving the fabric of your home.

Insulation

Sustainability-wise, one of the best things you can do for your home is to ensure that it’s insulated correctly. Hopefully this will have been done by the builders or previous owners to begin with, but there are updates you can make if not.

Insulation is important for keeping the temperature right inside your home – warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It reduces energy consumption, which lowers your energy bills, controls humidity levels, and can even reduce the amount of noise you can hear.

If you need to update your home’s insulation, selecting the material is the perfect chance to make an eco-friendly choice.

• Sheep’s wool is a natural fibre that is fire-retardant and good at moisture control, making it a great choice for insulation. It requires minimal environmental impact to make, and it is also allergen-free. It has a long lifespan and can be composted when it has gone past its best, making it an excellent sustainable option, as it doesn’t need to go to landfill.

• Cotton is also a good choice, as cotton insulation is made from leftover denim that otherwise would have gone to waste, so you’re already using a recycled product. It’s a natural insect repellent and is also non-flammable.

• Cork is another very eco-friendly product. This panelling material is actually carbon negative as the cork forests act as a carbon sink, capturing carbon dioxide from the air. These forests also act as a habitat for many different animals. It’s a natural, renewable and recyclable resource.

Windows

Windows are rated from A++ to E on the Window Energy Rating scale. According to Energy Saving Trust, by fitting A++ rated windows, you could reduce your carbon footprint by a total of 420kg, and save around £150 per year.

Make sure that your windows are well-fitted so that none of your newly contained heat escapes. If you’re moving or installing windows, placing them in the most-used areas of your home will allow you to make the most of natural light, rather than needing to turn on the lights in the day.

You could also could look at double- or triple-glazed energy efficient glass, with sustainably made frames. There are several eco-friendly options:

• uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) windows are recyclable, and don’t need any regular maintenance. However, they may not be a sympathetic choice for period properties, where wooden frames may better suit the overall aesthetic. In some cases, such as in conservation areas and some housing associations, they may be banned or require planning permission. 

• Wooden frames do require maintenance, but they also absorb CO2 and are made from natural materials. If you’re happy to keep an eye on their condition, they are an eco-friendly option that also allows you to maintain the character of your building. This can be particularly useful in renovations, where the properties tend to be older.

• Metal or composite frames give you a more modern look. Composite frames consist of a timber core, which is then covered with a metal coating. This means that you get both the benefits of the timber frame, and the longevity of metal. Additionally, both elements are recyclable.

• Low-E glass has a thin layer of metal oxide on the top of one of the layers of standard glass. This aims to reflect the heat back into the room, rather than let it escape out of the window.

Heating

It’s worth taking a look at how you’re heating your home. Making sure that you have an energy-efficient, eco-friendly heating system is the first step.

Heat pumps are a new, green way of heating that uses thermal energy. They are more efficient, safer and cleaner than gas boilers, and don’t use fossil fuels, meaning that they are much better for the environment. Combine this with a smart thermostat and split your home into zones for the ultimate eco-option.

The Government is aiming to make heat pumps the same price as gas boilers to encourage people to make the switch. As part of its Boiler Upgrade Scheme, eligible households could get a £7,500 grant towards an air-source or ground source heat pump. So this could be an option well worth looking into.

You could also consider installing underfloor heating. This is a green alternative to traditional radiators, because it means that the whole floor effectively becomes one large radiator.

Whilst at first glance this might not sound eco-friendly at all, it means that the system can maintain a more constant, lower temperature, so you use less energy than if you were regularly turning the thermostat up. Underfloor systems are compatible with renewable energy sources such as solar panels and heat pumps too.

Solar panels

Solar panels are one of the most eco-friendly changes that you can make to your home, as they harness energy from the sun. With enough panels, you can power your home completely, and even store energy using batteries for when you need it, or sell it back to the grid, so it’s never wasted.

While it depends on the size of the system, how accessible your roof is and other factors, Energy Saving Trust suggests that domestic solar panel systems cost around £7,000.

You shouldn’t need planning permission for solar panels, although it is always best to check. However, you will need to register them with your Distribution Network Operator.

Garden design

Moving away from the design of the building of your home, a garden can be a good opportunity to make some eco-friendly changes. A lot of water and regular cutting are required to keep a lawn looking lush, which doesn’t support wildlife and contributes to emissions via your lawnmower.

Instead, make sure to use native plants and wildflower beds in order to restore the ecosystem. Choosing these over more exotic varieties also helps encourage wildlife and restore some of their natural habitats. They can also help reduce erosion, as their roots are suited to the soil, and so hold it in place.

If you have your heart set on a lawn, look for a seed mix that contains drought- resistant grasses. These will offer a slightly wilder look than perfectly manicured lawn, but they require much less maintenance and water. For the benefits of insects and the environment, you could take part in initiatives like No Mow May.

Sustainable project management

When you’re talking to your contractors, make sure to mention that sustainability is important to you early on in the conversation. ​​When you’re talking to your contractors, make sure to mention that sustainability is important to you early on in the conversation.

By looking at the plans together, you might find ways to reduce your carbon footprint in the building process, as well as with the materials that you’re using. For example, let them know if you’re happy to receive all your paperwork by email, as this cuts down on paper usage.

You can also make sure to discuss how any waste product is going to be disposed of, and if it’s possible to recycle any of it, as otherwise you might find that it all just goes to landfill.

What’s the best time of year for renovating? 

Thinking about which season to do your work in can make a difference to the overall carbon footprint of your project, as well as save you money.

Completing work in the drier, summer months can mean that you get more daylight hours, which reduces the need for the lights to be on inside or having big floodlights on the site. 

It’s also warmer, which is useful when you’re working inside, as you can open windows and doors without quickly losing heat. You can also leave these open to dry out rooms, rather than needing to turn the heating on.

Mortgages and insurance

Green mortgages and loans

An increasing number of providers now offer green mortgages and loans, which reward you for making sustainable choices for your home.

Green mortgages work in different ways, depending on the mortgage lender, but essentially all of them offer incentives to people who are either buying energy-efficient properties or who are looking to improve the EPC rating of your current home. These incentives may take the form of lower interest rates, cashback or reduced fees.

There are a number of benefits for providers. Sustainable homes are more future-proof, as we have seen, and are likely to hold their value well and appreciate. Plus borrowers who save on their energy bills will have lower outgoings, and so will be better placed to keep up their monthly mortgage payments.

Home insurance

When carrying out any renovations it’s important to consider the home insurance implications.

If your house increases in value due to your renovations and would cost more to rebuild in the event of a claim, then your premium might increase too, depending on the policy you have.

That would definitely be the case for fitting solar panels, for example. As well as improving your home’s market value, installing solar panels is likely to increase your home’s rebuild value. You might see your premiums go up, but it may not be by much.

The key thing is to let your insurance provider know about any significant renovations you’re planning to ensure you’re sufficiently covered.

There are some other types of cover you might want to consider for your upcoming renovation project, including:

• Unoccupied home insurance – if your property is left vacant for a period longer than that covered by standard home insurance (usually 30 days)

• Accidental damage insurance – this could protect you against common renovation disasters such as a TV falling off the wall or someone putting their foot through the floorboards 

• Renovation or home improvement insurance – specialist cover designed for properties undergoing renovation works.  

Useful links

• Government study into the effect of EPC ratings on house prices: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/an-investigation-of-the-effect-of-epc-ratings-on-house-prices

• The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

• An overview of eco-friendly insulation options: https://www.tinyecohomelife.com/best-eco-friendly-insulation

• Energy Saving Trust – In-depth guide to Heat Pumps: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/in-depth-guide-to-heat-pumps/

• Energy Saving Trust – Solar Panel Guide: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/solar-panels/

• Energy Saving Trust – Windows and Doors guide: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/windows-and-doors/

• About the Forest Stewardship Council: https://uk.fsc.org/what-is-fsc

• Government’s plan for lowering the cost of clean heat: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plan-to-drive-down-the-cost-of-clean-heat