How to improve the ecological impact of a home

Improving the ecological impact of a home involves adopting various best practices. We share several strategies to make your home more environmentally friendly.

Energy efficiency

In a home, energy consumption has the biggest impact on the environment. We are mainly talking about heating, cooling and lighting. Going green in your home can be done in several ways.

First of all, you should upgrade the insulation. Proper insulation recudes the need for heating, leading to significant energy saving and less CO2. Furthermore, insulation will also reduce the need for cooling in the summer. It’s a win-win!

Don’t forget to upgrade windows and doors as well. Double or triple-pane glazing can help maintain indoor temperatures.

It might also be time to swap your heater for a modern, more efficient model. Or go for a more environmentally friendly heating solution: a heat pump.

Other ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home is using LED lighting, choosing appliances with a high Energy Star rating and installing a smart thermostat.

Renewable energy

More and more homeowners are investing in renewable energy. They install solar panels on their roof or a geothermal heating and cooling system. 

Renewable energy is green because it does not require fossil fuels. So there are no CO2 emissions. Moreover, it is a way to reduce your energy bills. Another bonus: you are probably entitled to a subsidy for the installation.

Water conservation

When we talk about the ecological impact of homes, we usually talk about central heating and waste management. The use of water is often forgotten. 

Still, we need to be economical with our water consumption.

Install low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets to recude your water usage. You should als collect rainwater for gardering and flushing toilets. 

Want to go a step further? Recycle water from sinks, showers and laundry for irregation and other non-potable uses. 

Sustainable materials

During the construction or renovation of your home, there are also a few measures you can take to reduce its ecological impact.

Use sustainable materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood or recycled metal. For the interior, you should buy paints and finishes with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOC). 

Wast reducation

Reducing waste is a simple way to make your household more eco-friendly. Try to compost kitchen scraps and yard waste to reduce landfill. You should also sort your waste, such as paper, plastics, glass and metals. Do the same for construction waste. Companies like Remondis Stavelot will assist you with this. 

Furthermore, we recommend avoiding single-use platics. Opt for reusable containers, bags and utensils.