In this guide, we’re going to take a look at the different ways you can make your home renovation more eco-friendly, from small steps, such as choosing LED light bulbs to larger undertakings like installing solar panels.
Creating an eco-friendly home is a multi-faceted approach that incorporates good insulation, ensuring materials are still functional and within their lifespan of use, as well as sourcing ways to recycle or upcycle existing materials into your home renovation.
The SEAI have a great BER comparison tool to help you see the savings you can make by renovating your home to their minimum recommendation of a BER of B2. The tool shows the difference that having a more eco-friendly home could make to your bills and carbon emissions.
Ways to make your home renovation eco-friendly
Use LED light bulbs
Using energy-efficient lighting like LED light bulbs is an easy and inexpensive way to be more eco-friendly while renovating your home. Simply use LED light bulbs in any new light fixtures to reap energy-saving rewards. Additionally, you can replace any existing lightbulbs with LED bulbs when they burn out.
Insulate your walls, floors and attic
To make sure energy is being used as efficiently as possible, it’s important to insulate your home’s walls, floor and attic. This ensures that the heat in your home isn’t escaping through any gaps. This will in turn reduce your heating costs as the insulation helps to keep heat in your home for longer, meaning you won’t need to heat it as often. According to the SEAI, you can save up to €600 per year by insulating the attic and walls of your home.
Upgrade your windows
Windows can also be a cause for energy loss in your home. If your windows are old, it would be advantageous to upgrade your windows to double or triple glazing to improve insulation and heat retention. You should also take care when choosing your window frames as the materials used to frame and seal windows can also have a varying impact on the amount of energy lost.
We advise you to talk to a windows expert to ask them what are the most energy-efficient window options for your specific home and needs.
Install a heat pump
Installing a heat pump into a well-insulated home can help to lower energy costs and reduce carbon emissions. Heat pumps maintain a constant temperature in your home by distributing heat that is already available in the air. The SEAI have a great guide on heat pump systems which takes you through how heat pumps work, the types, benefits and how to get started. They also provide a heat pump system grant, so be sure to check whether you qualify for this.
Use reclaimed flooring
If your renovation involves changing the floors, you could consider using reclaimed wooden flooring. Reclaimed flooring can be sourced from old barns, buildings or houses and therefore it has lower emission levels than the level needed to log, transport and process new wood. It also has the added benefit that it won’t shrink or warp as it has already aged and dried out throughout the years it has been used previously.
Choose energy-efficient appliances
When replacing appliances within your home, try to prioritise choosing energy-efficient appliances such as eco-friendly dishwashers, fridges, freezers, ovens and washing machines, as these will use less energy throughout their life cycle.
Install solar panels
Installing solar panels on your home is a considerable upfront investment, however, it is worthwhile in the long run for the savings you will make on energy costs.
You can use your solar panels to generate electricity and heat your water. They will not only add value to your home but they’ll also help you play your part in tackling climate change by using a renewable energy source.
Install low-flow fixtures
When replacing some bathroom fixtures, e.g., your toilet, shower or sink, consider opting for a low-flow fixture to save water. Low-flow fixtures help to control the water and energy usage levels within your home.
Use eco-friendly paint
Did you know that you can get eco-friendly paint that doesn’t contain toxic/chemical ingredients like volatile organic compounds (VOCs)? There are now many low- or no-VOC paints on the market for you to choose from. The benefit of using these when renovating your home is that they have a lower impact on the environment as they don’t contain toxic ingredients that evaporate into the atmosphere while the paint is drying.
Consult AXA Go Green
To help our customers work towards these eco-friendly choices, you can find even more helpful resources on our AXA Go Green website. We have added some of our trusted partners in eco renovation, as well as information on how to finance your home upgrades to ensure professionalism and expertise at every stage.
Review your home insurance
Once you are finished renovating your house it’s important to review your home insurance policy to ensure that it includes enough cover to protect your newly renovated home. To do this, simply log in to your MyAXA account to review and update your policy accordingly.
