Kermit the Frog claimed it’s not easy being green…but we have to disagree.
Switching to green energy and other eco home solutions can be quite simple when you choose a trusted and experienced installer and the benefits of making these changes far outweigh any upheaval that comes with any home improvement project, including energy bill savings and lessening environmental impact.
In this article, we are going to explore what an eco home is, all the benefits of switching to eco sustainable solutions, and what is available to you.
Contents
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- What is an Eco Home?
- Benefits of a Sustainable Home
- Economic
- Environmental
- Eco Home Solution Options
- Government Incentives
What is an Eco Home?
Homes are classed as eco or sustainable when they are maintained and operated in a way that reduces or minimises the impact on the environment. Sustainable homes usually have features such as:
- Renewable energy
- Smart technology
- Natural lighting
- Energy Star appliances
- Insulation
Benefits of an Eco Home
Eco homes can be cheaper to run and have less impact on the environment, along with the health benefits. We’ve broken these benefits down for you below:
Economic
Energy Bill Savings
Switching to green energy such as solar panels and air source heat pumps means you are not relying on gas and electric suppliers to provide your energy and therefore, are not at the mercy of any price changes or energy caps. Updating or increasing your insulation can also reduce bills by preventing heat loss in the winter and keeping your house cool in the summer, reducing your reliance on heating or air conditioning.
Less maintenance
Eco home solutions can require less maintenance than traditional options, therefore saving you money on repairs costs, so more money in your pocket.
Potential money-making opportunities
When you create your own energy, you have the potential option to store the energy to use at another time, or even sell it back to the grid. This allows you to make a little bit of money back on the energy you have created with whichever eco home solution you choose to install.
Environmental
Energy efficiency
Green energy is more efficient than gas and electricity, meaning you use less, creating fewer CO2 emissions. You can also use Smart technology to regulate your usage and set timers.
Eco Home Solution Options
There is a wide range of options available to most homes, including rental properties. These options include:
Using the power of the sun to power your home involves very little maintenance and disruption. Solar panels are installed on your roof so are out of the way and are connected to your home appliances.
There are three different types of heat pumps including, air-to-air, air-to-water, and hybrid. These are installed outside and looks like an air conditioning unit.
Triple Glazing
Most modern homes have double glazing as standard and triple glazing is very similar, but just provides an additional layer or insulation on your windows, without compromising on natural light.
Having your home properly insulated avoids wasting any heat you are generating and prevents drafts.
Government Incentives
The Scottish government has pledged to be NetZero by 2045 and are offering financial incentives to make the transition to green energy easier for more people.
We have detailed some of the finance options below:
| Name | Type | Details |
| ECO4 | Grant | ECO4 grants can help homeowners with energy efficiency improvements, heating and insulation. |
| Home Energy Scotland (HES) | Grant & Loan | Up to a maximum of £38,000 available and is not means tested. |
| Home Energy Efficiency for Scotland (HEEPS) | Local Authority Fund | Council-run scheme in areas with high levels of fuel poverty. |
| Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) | Free or Price Reductions | Only applies to insulation. |
| Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan | Loan | Scottish landlords can get up to £17,500 to make energy efficiency home improvements. |
Conclusion
While Kermit the Frog may have tunefully complained about the challenges of being green, the reality is that making simple switches to eco home solutions brings more benefits than hassles.
You would be a Muppet not to investigate what is available to you, especially when it comes to grants, loans, and other government incentives, such as ECO4.
Enlisting a trusted green energy installer to review your home and make recommendations is a great first step in discovering what eco home solution is best for you and your home, so you can start saving money, lower your environmental impact and make improvements to your own health and wellbeing.
It really is easy being green.