Thanks to rising energy prices and global warming, we're all seeking ways to reduce our carbon footprints and cut our utility bills. According to data, 72% of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products, so it's clear a move towards more eco-friendly homes is no passing fad.

Swapping to natural, Earth-kind products and materials inside your home is one way to go greener, but other changes can improve efficiency, save you money and increase your property's value.

Click or scroll on as we share 17 ways you can make your home more sustainable...

No matter where you live, it's likely you've noticed a steady rise in your energy bills, due to inflation and a global energy crisis. Coupled with an increase in working from home, household bills have gone up significantly in recent years.

Luckily, though, there are plenty of steps you can take to lower your energy usage, which will both save you money and help save the planet. Let's explore a few...

Generally speaking, the newer the boiler, the more efficient and cost-effective it will be to run. Checkatrade suggests that new boilers tend to be at least 90% efficient, compared with older boilers, which can be less than 50% efficient.

Installing a new boiler will mean you'll need to run it for less time to achieve a warmer home, lowering your energy bills at the same time. And the savings are bigger than you might expect. Switching to a more energy-efficient boiler can save you up to £580 per year on your bills, according to iHeat. Meanwhile, Go.Compare estimates that a new boiler could add about 4% to your home's value.

A smart thermostat is a clever device that allows you to control your home’s heating from your smartphone, with models offering all sorts of options, from multi-room control to geofencing and draught detection. They are not cheap, though (typically between £100 and £250), and Money Saving Expert says it all depends on how and why you use one, as to whether it makes a good investment.

If you have a set routine, the savings probably won't be noticable, while those who regularly get home at different times could really see the savings. That said, according to two independent studies, smart thermostats can, on average, save customers between 10% and 12% per year.

LED bulbs have quickly grown in popularity in recent years, and it's no wonder. LEDs are the most energy efficient light bulb on the market. They are just as powerful as halogen lights, but use 80% less electricity. LEDs also last significantly longer than standard bulbs; up to 20 times longer in many cases. This means you likely won't need to replace them for years.

Plus, according to the Power Cost Calculator, incandescent bulbs cost up to six times more to run than LEDs, so replacing your bulbs is a quick, affordable and simple way of improving your home's energy efficiency and reducing your energy bills.

A smart lighting scheme can enable you to control your lights via a smartphone app or digital home assistant, like Alexa or Siri. However, while a smart lighting scheme can allow you far greater control, installing one isn't cheap. 

Checkatrade says that, depending on the brand, smart bulbs can start as low as £7 and go up to £50. On average, you can expect to spend £27 on a single bulb. But, you'll also need a hub for central control and possibly dimmer switches, meaning smart lighting for your whole house can range from £3,000 to over £10,000.

As appliances age, their overall efficiency drops, usually due to deteriorating parts. The less energy an appliance uses, the less it costs to run, which makes newer, more energy-efficient models perfect for reducing your energy consumption and bills.

Fridge-freezers consume power all day long, so it's worth upgrading to a newer, more energy-efficient one if you can. Changes in energy labels came into force in March 2021, which got rid of lots of confusing ratings at the upper end of the scale. Which? now suggests looking for a fridge-freezer with an energy label of D or above.

Gas is an extremely expensive commodity and burning natural gases to produce energy creates greenhouse emissions that damage the environment. So, it's no wonder more people are switching to electric or induction hobs, which are easier to control and work well at lower temperatures.

Induction hobs also have lower energy consumption, making them cheaper to run. This is because all the power goes into the pan and none is wasted in the air. In fact, according to Cookery Space, 85% to 90% of the energy goes directly into cooking when using an induction hob, compared to 65%-70% when using a gas hob. Even better, the cost of purchasing the two is very similar.

Now let's explore the greener home improvements you can make that will save you money and may even add value to your home.

It's worth noting that it's important to factor in the purchasing, installation and maintenance costs associated with each idea, and work out how much you can save in the long run, to determine whether the overall gain is worth the initial investment.

Solar panels allow you to power your home using free, renewable energy, meaning you can save on your energy bills while reducing your carbon footprint. Upfront, however, they are a significant investment. 

The cost of solar panels depends on the type and size of system you choose. Checkatrade estimates the average price to be £8,000, including installation, and an array could save you around £735 per year on your energy bills.

However, the solar panel payback period is between 11 and 21 years. That is, the time it takes for the savings to equal your initial investment. They could add between 4% and 14% to your home's value, though.

According to USwitch, 25% of all heat lost from a home escapes through the roof, so ensuring your loft is well insulated will make a big difference. The cost of loft insulation will vary based on the material you choose and the type of roof you have.

Checkatrade suggests that basic loft insulation costs around £725, with an additional labour cost of £250 per day. Loft insulation will typically take a couple of years to pay for itself, through the savings you’ll make on your heating bills.

But it could reduce your energy bills by up to £340 per year and, thanks to an improved EPC rating, could add 14% to the value of your home.

Another great way to boost your home's EPC rating is by replacing your old windows with insulated models. Insulated windows have more than one pane – also known as double or triple glazing – with an internal air pocket in-between that makes them more efficient. 

Windows don't come cheap, though. Checkatrade estimates that double glazing can cost anywhere between £500 and £5,000 per window. Installation costs can range from £250 to £600 per day, too. 

But, according to the Energy Saving Trust, upgrading single glazed windows to A-rated double glazing can save £140 per year on energy bills, while making your home more desirable to buyers and boosting its value.

Of course, upgrading your windows, boosting your home's insulation and investing in solar panels will all help you be more environmentally friendly.

Other green home improvements might not necessarily save you money or add value, but the likelihood is they will reduce your carbon footprint and encourage you to build more sustainable habits. Plus, they're all relatively easy and cheap to do. Let's take a look...

Decorating your home with non-toxic paint won't add to its value or save you any money, but it will certainly benefit the planet. Many standard paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which include a variety of chemicals. Research suggests that VOCs can cause allergic reactions and headaches. They can also cause respiratory difficulties and make lung condition symptoms worse.

Eco (or non-toxic) paints, however, contain organic materials and are better for people and the planet. While eco paints tend to be a little more expensive than regular paints, they are considered better quality and more durable.

Featured eco paint available from Earthborn.

Here's an eco home improvement that will also save you money. A rainwater harvesting system, in the form of a simple rain barrel, will allow you to collect rainwater and reuse it to water your garden or clean your car. Some more advanced systems can be plumbed in, so water can be used for your washing machine, shower or toilet.

As well as being fantastic for the environment, adding one to your garden will allow you to cut your water bills. Rainharvesting Systems suggests you could realistically expect to save between 40% and 50% on your water bills, if you opt for a professional rainwater collection unit.

Of course, you'll need to consider the initial outlay, which could be as little as £70 for a basic water butt or as much as £3,000 for an entire domestic rainwater harvesting system.

Speaking of saving water and cutting bills, there are plenty of other measures you can take. For starters, an eco shower will provide you with a high-pressure experience, without using more water. So, you can turn the dial down and save water.

Plus, Save Money Cut Carbon suggests a well-manufactured eco shower from a trusted brand can reduce water consumption by up to 60%, which is a big saving year on year.

Featured eco shower available from Triton Showers.

Unlike regular driveways, permeable ones have voids that allow rainwater to drain through them. This water is then soaked up by your lawn, trees and plants. Often formed from eco-friendly material, like recycled plastic, they can also improve local water quality, aid with flooding risk and, of course, reduce the cost of watering your outside space.

There are different types of permeable driveways, so costs differ. Checkatrade says a permeable concrete driveway costs, on average, £80 per square metre, while a resin one is about £60 per square metre. 

It's worth noting that a permeable driveway tends to cost 10% to 20% more than a traditional one, but could last up to 25 years.

Again, composting isn't going to suddenly make your home more desirable and it will only save you a minimal sum of money, but the environmental benefits make it worth considering.

By recycling your food scraps and garden waste, you'll reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill and save money on plant food and water. It's cheap, too. All you need is a storage container, which can be bought for less than £50. You could even build your own using offcuts of timber.

Green walls or vertical gardens are not just visually pleasing, they have hidden benefits. For one, they can provide temperature control and heat reduction, since plants are better at absorbing sunlight than reflecting it. 

Studies have shown that exterior green walls can reduce surface temperatures by as much as 10°C and, in winter, they provide extra insulation, helping you keep your home toasty and reducing the need for heating.

Of course, plants also purify air, turning gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide into oxygen. Checkatrade suggests a professionally installed five-square-metre (16.4-square-foot) living wall will set you back £16,183, on average. But you could DIY it for a lot less.

Native landscaping is a fantastic way of making your home more environmentally friendly. This is because the plants will be located in the perfect place, where the soil, water supply and climate are just right. For example, drought-tolerant plants are perfect for dry regions. Native plants also create natural habitats for wildlife and improve biodiversity.

Most importantly, they require much less watering and fertiliser to thrive. They can decrease pollution by eliminating the need for mowers and other equipment, too, while storing excess carbon. 

You can make environmentally friendly choices when decorating your home. By investing in durable and sustainable materials and products, you will not only help reduce landfill waste, but lower your carbon footprint. For example, rattan is a fantastic material as it's natural and biodegradable, so will decompose without causing environmental harm. 

You can also insulate your home with eco materials, like wool or straw, and select durable furnishings that are designed to last. Of course, buying second-hand or opting for furniture made from reclaimed or recycled materials is another eco option. Just remember to do your research before buying.

Featured furnishings available from The White Company.

With plenty of options, it's easy to pick and choose the sustainable home improvements that work for you, your home and your budget. As a reminder, it's always worth calculating whether the reward is worth the initial investment. 

Research has found that 60% of Brits value the environmental performance of a new home and nearly 80% are willing to pay more for a home with lower energy bills. Make of that what you will...

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