If you’re keen to save money and protect the environment, you will no doubt already have much of the necessary jobs around the home done.  You may have already paid up for your home’s double glazing, not to mention the loft insulation cost.  If you haven’t yet sorted the basics out, make a list of improvements and get working your way through them as your budget allows. You’ll feel better once you’ve ticked everything off your list.

But with our world changing so rapidly we could soon be encountering even greater costs to futureproof our homes and make the most of green resources.

Here are just four ways you may need to look at to green your home and make it more efficient in the long-term.

Harvesting your rainwater

Did you know you can collect the rainwater that falls on your roof and harvest it for reuse?  Rather than running down a pipe and into the ground or the sewer, a harvesting system will collect the water for use around the home. More than just watering the garden and washing the car, it can be used for flushing toilets and even for the washing machine.

Using LED lights

This is one of the more common and simple ways of futureproofing the home. However, there has been a slow change over to LED lighting all around the home. Incandescent, halogen and even the older style energy efficient bulbs are still being used.  LEDs are recyclable and don’t contain mercury, so it’s not just about saving energy with your bulb choice.

Installing a heat source pump

In a bid to lower our carbon footprint, heat source pumps are being looked at by more and more consumers.  It’s an expensive system to install but as technology improves and as energy prices increase, it could become a more cost-effective choice.  You may be wise to start saving for this type of system.

Putting up solar panels

This renewable energy source is already becoming more cost-effective to install and as the years go by there are more and more roofs showing off their green credentials.  What was once seen as a bit of a wacky idea for residential properties is now becoming the norm.  You don’t even need to live in a hot climate to use this technology.