The UK is “unprepared for future climate change impacts,” a report from the United Kingdom’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) unveils. This includes significant events that range from flooding to heat waves and wildfires, to highlight a few. The increasing concern surrounding climate change and the related impacts has underlined the importance of taking action today rather than tomorrow. On an individual scale, however, homeowners throughout the UK can make various affordable and proactive changes while keeping the environment at the forefront of the transformation.
Eco-Friendly Plumbing Solutions
Home water use can have a surprising environmental impact. A BBC article notes that the majority of emissions from household water use come from the energy aspect, specifically the energy needed to heat the water itself — “46% if a gas boiler is used,” the article points out. Regarding home water use on an individual scale, 35% of UK adults note they try to conserve “as much water as possible,” a 2020 poll from Savanta ComRes found. On the other hand, the poll further revealed that 12% don’t try to save any water.
UK households wishing to create an environmentally friendly home can benefit from innovative solutions that conserve water, minimize cost, and heighten efficiency. Apart from changes like energy-efficient appliances (dishwashers and washing machines), solutions can extend to plumbing. At the same time, low-flow toilets can sound like more of an investment; low-flow showerhead adapters can offer an affordable alternative for those who want to make a more immediate change. Pipe insulation is another proactive option, which can minimize heat loss (and reduce the strain on the energy needed to heat the water). Pipe insulation is generally inexpensive and is often used on fixtures like hot water pipes.
A Variety of Heating and Cooling Options
Resilience to climate issues like heat waves is essential for those searching for eco-friendly, climate-ready home solutions. A properly prepared home can result in energy efficiency and make the home more comfortable. For context, more than 50% have reported experiences of discomfort in a heatwave (28%, on the other hand, reported health issues that happened to be heat-related), a UK survey revealed.
Insulation can benefit a home in several key ways, especially when the goal is to create a climate-ready residence. This is primarily because insulation can help reduce heat loss in the winter months (and minimizes heat transfer into the home during the summer). The result brings more efficient regulation to the house throughout the year, lower heating and cooling costs, and a reduced carbon footprint. Eco-friendly options like wood fiber or sheep’s wool insulation can be significant considerations when the goal is to further the environmental impact. However, the cost may be higher than other eco-friendly insulation options (like cellulose insulation, which happens to be made from recycled paper products).
Air-source heat pumps are another consideration that can help minimize a home’s environmental impact when compared to gas or boiler options due to the lack of fossil fuels involved. Regarding efficiency, air source heat pumps work well even in harsh winter conditions, which makes for more reliable heating throughout the year, ultimately making it an excellent option for those who want to create a climate-ready home. Even though air source heat pumps typically have a high upfront cost, they can result in a lower running cost, resulting in savings over time. With that in mind, air source heat pumps and other plumbing modifications are best installed by an experienced plumber. Those in Hemel Hempstead and Herts can find local professional services offering no-obligation quotes for smaller tasks, home visits before more extensive work, and convenient time slots.
The Infusion of Green Spaces
Green spaces are a fantastic way for homeowners to create a climate-ready home. Outdoors, these spaces provide a natural shade, manage floodwater, and stabilize the soil. Green space can also provide a natural habitat to surrounding wildlife, and it doesn’t have to be expensive to create, either. Local plant life (such as wildflowers), a small garden bed, and perhaps a few trees are all proactive ways to do this. One Ideal Home post by Amy Cutmore notes that simple garden ideas can include companion planting, which can help plants thrive when planted in combinations that “work in harmony.” This can be a particularly great idea for those who plan to incorporate a garden space, as companion plants can encourage the growth of vegetable patches.
A simple rainwater collection system can further the effort — rainwater collection is a great way to minimize stormwater runoff (which can help reduce flooding) and promote water conservation. Many homeowners may use the rainwater to nourish their gardens, wash cars and home exteriors, and even flush toilets. It’s important to note that green spaces can also be created indoors — small countertop kitchen gardens, for example, are the perfect way to have vegetables and herbs on demand while incorporating green space on a smaller scale.
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